Filming has begun on Bloodlands, a major original crime drama for BBC One, created by exciting new writer Chris Brandon and produced by HTM Television (co-owned by Jed Mercurio and Hat Trick Productions).

Joining James Nesbitt (The Missing, Cold Feet) in the drama are Lisa Dwan (Top Boy, Trust), Lorcan Cranitch (Fortitude, The Dig), Charlene McKenna (Ripper Street, Vienna Blood), Ian McElhinney (Derry Girls, Game Of Thrones), Lola Petticrew (My Left Nut, Come Home), Chris Walley (The Young Offenders, 1917), Michael Smiley (Luther, Death and Nightingales), Kathy Kiera Clarke (Derry Girls, The Pale Horse), and Susan Lynch (Happy Valley, Save Me).

When a car containing a possible suicide note is pulled out of Strangford Lough, Northern Irish police detective Tom Brannick (James Nesbitt) quickly connects it to an infamous cold case with enormous personal significance. Bloodlands follows his hunt for the legendary assassin known as 'Goliath', an explosive cat-and-mouse game where the stakes have never been higher.

Additional cast include Peter Ballance, Asan N’Jie, Cara Kelly and Flora Montgomery.

Bloodlands is Chris Brandon’s first original drama series commission and the first drama from newly formed production company HTM Television. It was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama and Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC Content. The executive producers are Jed Mercurio, Jimmy Mulville and Mark Redhead for HTM Television and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC.

Jed Mercurio, Executive Producer for HTM Television, says: “HTM Television is honoured such a prestigious cast will bring to life Chris Brandon's thrilling, thought-provoking series Bloodlands.”

Tommy Bulfin, BBC Commissioning Editor, Northern Ireland, says: “We’re delighted that such an incredible cast, including some of Northern Ireland’s finest acting talent, have come together for Bloodlands.”

Directed by Pete Travis (Omagh, The Go-Between) and produced by Christopher Hall (The Durrells, Critical), Bloodlands is produced with funding from Northern Ireland Screen. Filming is taking place in and around Belfast and Strangford Lough.