Alexandra Roach (The Light in the Hall) and Joe Cole (Gangs of London) lead the cast of upcoming suspense thriller Nightsleeper from BAFTA award-winning writer Nick Leather (The Control Room, Mother’s Day) from Fremantle’s Euston Films, coming to BBC One and iPlayer. 

Nightsleeper is a real-time thriller set on a sleeper train travelling from Glasgow to London, while a government agency desperately tries to intervene in the rapidly-escalating events onboard. Can two people who’ve never met, one on the train and one not, work together to save the lives of its disparate group of passengers as the Heart of Britain service hurtles towards what might quite literally be its final destination? 

The series also stars Alex Ferns (The Devil’s Hour), Sharon Small (The Bay), James Cosmo (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), David Threlfall (Shameless), Daniel Cahill (The Control Room), Lois Chimimba (Vigil), Gabriel Howell (The Fence), Katie Leung (Harry Potter), Leah MacRae (Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything), Ruth Madeley (Years and Years),  Adam Mitchell (Mother’s Day), Pamela Nomvete (Andor), Scott Reid (Maxine), Sharon Rooney (Jerk) and Parth Thakerar (Gangs of London). 

Nick Leather, Writer said: “It’s a joy to be able to write for this cast of some of the finest acting talent in the UK today – our train is a real rollercoaster, a white-knuckle trip through the heart of Britain, and I’m delighted to have them join us for the ride.” 

Kate Harwood, Managing Director, Euston Films, said: “We are so excited to be carrying this brilliant, eclectic and precious cast on our train matched by tremendous talent in our security centre in London, it’s ‘all aboard’ as we start shooting Nick’s thrilling scripts.” 

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “I’m so pleased that Joe, Alexandra and this exceptional ensemble cast have all come aboard Nightsleeper as it speeds towards BBC One and iPlayer. Nick Leather has created an adrenaline-fuelled thriller like no other and I can’t wait to see it brought to the screen.” 

Nightsleeper is a 6×60 series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer produced by Euston Films (Wreck, The Sister, Dublin Murders), a Fremantle label. Euston Films’ managing director Kate Harwood will executive produce with Nick Leather, and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC. The series is directed by Jamie Magnus Stone (Doctor Who, Ten Pound Poms) and John Hayes (Dublin Murders). Writers are Nick Leather with Laura Grace (Episode 4 and 5). Producing is Jonathan Curling (The Sister, Baghdad Central). Fremantle is handling global distribution. 

Filming is currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland.