THE RAPTURE: FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED TO JOIN RUTH MADELEY IN NEW BBC DRAMA

The cast joining Ruth Madeley (Doctor Who, Then Barbara Met Alan) in new drama The Rapture, produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV studios, (Towards Zero, Code of Silence), has been announced.

The series, which is filming in Wales, is written by Bryony Kimmings (Last Christmas) and Rebecca Manley (Breaking the Mould) and directed by Eva Sigurđardóttir (Little Disasters, Domino Day) and Jennifer Perrott (Rain Dogs, Gentleman Jack) for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Adapted from Liz Jensen’s bestselling novel, The Rapture is a high-stakes thriller which crackles with danger. Set in a heatwave, with protestors on the streets, forensic psychologist Gabs Fox (Madeley) starts a new job at a high-security psychiatric hospital where she meets 17-year-old Bethany Krall (India Amarteifio – Queen Charlotte, The Midwich Cuckoos).

Bethany was convicted of murdering her mother but claims she is innocent. She is estranged from her father Leonard (Sam Hazeldine – The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Slow Horses), who is the charismatic leader of an influential religious movement.

Bethany tells Gabs that she has psychic powers and can predict the future - but what will it take for Gabs to believe her? And if Bethany didn’t kill her mother, then who did?

Also joining the cast are: Jack Farthing (Rain Dogs, Spencer), Iwan Rheon (Those About to Die, Game of Thrones), Stephen Campbell Moore (The History Boys, Masters of the Air), Lisa Palfrey (Sex Education, Cobra), Siena Kelly (Black Mirror, Domino Day), Naby Dakhil (House of David, Messiah), Richard Elis (The Pact, Creisis), Dean Rehman (The Kite Runner, Until I Kill You), Robert Rhodes (28 Years Later, House of the Dragon) and Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey, Stella).

Ruth Madeley says: “It's a total joy to lead such a powerful and vibrant series and bring the writing of Bryony Kimmings and Rebecca Manley to life. The Rapture is an incredibly special project to me and I'm thrilled to be Executive Producing the series alongside such a fantastic team and bringing accessibility to the forefront of production.”

India Amarteifio adds: “I’m over the moon to be getting started on this production and cannot wait to bring Bethany onto tellies. It will be a massive challenge for me professionally, which I’m very much welcoming and feel incredibly safe to do so in the hands of Mammoth and Ruth!”

Rebecca Durbin, Series Executive Producer for Mammoth Screen, says: “The Rapture is a hugely powerful and entertaining female led drama, which is charged with timely, important and deeply resonant themes. The chemistry between Ruth and India is utterly compelling and their passion for the project is unrivalled - we cannot wait to bring it to the screen alongside the BBC and Creative Wales thanks to this phenomenal cast!”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, adds: “This thriller brings Liz Jensen’s compelling novel to life with a truly talented cast led by the brilliant Ruth Madeley and India Amarteifio. The Rapture features two complicated and captivating characters, blended with a story of climate change, to create a gripping narrative and I can’t wait for BBC viewers to see it.”

The Rapture is a Mammoth Screen production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.