Deadwater Fell Press Pack

Programme Synopsis
When a seemingly perfect and happy family is murdered by someone they know and trust, the small Scottish community they call home becomes riven with doubt and suspicion as those closest to the family begin to question everything they thought they knew about their friends...

Deadwater Fell is a 4x60’ drama written and created by Daisy Coulam (Humans, Grantchester) which follows two families in the fictional village of Kirkdarroch in the aftermath of a horrific crime. As much as it is an exploration of the anatomy of a terrible crime the series is equally a forensic dissection of two relationships – Kate and Tom, Jess and Steve. BAFTA and NTA award-winning David Tennant (Broadchurch, Dr Who, Good Omens) stars as Tom Kendrick. The local GP, a trusted, admired and much-liked member of the community Tom is a doting father to three little girls, a seemingly loving husband whose marriage to Kate, played by Anna Madeley (Patrick Melrose, The Crown, Utopia) appears nothing short of perfect. Kate is a beloved local teacher who works at the primary school alongside her best friend, and closest confidante, Jess Milner.

Jess, played by Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Vera), used to be a bit of an outsider, someone who could never really settle down. But when she met Steve 6 years ago, she quickly moved to Kirkdarroch and made a home with him. She helps him look after his two sons from his previous marriage with whom he shares custody with his ex. Steve, played by Matthew McNulty (Versailles, Cleaning Up, The Terror), was born and raised in Kirkdarroch. A Police Sergeant, he’s previously not had to deal with much crime in the sleepy village and their happy life together is only marred by their struggle to have a child of their own….

But in one night the illusions of happiness and contentment are shattered as the community is drawn to Kate and Tom’s home in the forest by the flicker of flames and the smell of smoke. Amid the confusion Kate and her three children are found dead, and Tom, who is found alive, is rushed to hospital. It soon becomes apparent, however, that Kate and her children weren’t killed in the fire and the village realise that something unspeakable has happened. As the fingers of suspicion point first to Tom, then to others as more details of that night emerge, Jess becomes desperate to understand what could have caused such a tragedy, and what secrets lie at the root of this terrible act…

Deadwater Fell is directed by Lynsey Miller (The Boy with the Topknot, Doing Money), Executive Producers are Emma Kingsman-Lloyd (Humans, Grantchester) and Karen Wilson (Utopia, The Tunnel), David Tennant and Daisy Coulam with Caroline Levy (Beecham House, Hooten & The Lady, The Mill) producing. Deadwater Fell is produced by Kudos (Humans, Utopia, Tin Star), part of Endemol Shine UK, for Channel 4 and has been commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Drama, Caroline Hollick.