The Long Call is adapted from the best-selling novel of the same title from award-winning writer Ann Cleeves.
The Long Call follows Detective Inspector Matthew Venn (Ben Aldridge), who has returned to live in a small community in North Devon with his husband, Jonathan (Declan Bennett).
Matthew was brought up in the Barum Brethren before leaving to go to University. At 19 he knew he couldn’t continue amongst the community and to his mother’s shock and dismay, he declared publicly he no longer believed. Now he’s back, not just to grieve for his father, but to lead a shocking murder investigation back where it all began for him. Matthew is now forced to re-engage with the community he left, including the most painful and challenging of relationships, with his mother Dorothy played by award-winning actress Juliet Stevenson (Riviera, Truly Madly, Deeply). After the body of a man is found on the beach close to Matthew’s home, the investigation throws a cast of doubt on the whole community. Matthew and his team have to get to the bottom of a case that brings with it old wounds and a deadly secret in order to expose the killer.
Pearl Mackie plays DC Jen Rafferty, a tough and fiercely determined woman who has recently relocated to Devon with her two teenage kids, Ella and Ben. As a diligent worker and a single parent Jen muddles her way through domestic life whilst trying to put some distance between her own traumatic scars from her former life living in London.
Ben, Juliet and Pearl are joined by Martin Shaw as the spiritual Brethren leader Dennis Stephenson and Anita Dobson who plays Grace Stephenson.
The series is directed by Lee Haven Jones (Dr. Who, Shetland, The Bay) and produced by ITV Studios label, Silverprint Pictures and co-produced with BritBox North America. Angie Daniell (Vigil, Alex Rider, Clique) will produce the series which is filmed on location in Bristol and the North Devon coast whilst Silverprint Pictures’ Creative Director Kate Bartlett (Flesh and Blood, Shetland, Dark Heart) is the executive producer.
The Long Call has been commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill. The drama will be produced in association with ITV Studios, who are handling international distribution.
Pearl Mackie is notable for her work in television, theatre and film and is best known for her work in the long-running BBC series, Doctor Who, Pearl’s work in theatre includes the award-winning and critically acclaimed stage adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party. Her film credits include Greed.