07/05/2024 - The brand-new “sun-drenched thriller,” set to enter production this month in Sardinia and created by Luther’s Neil Cross, follows a rootless and enigmatic genius

Actors Tom Hollander (the series Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, The King’s Man [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Niamh Algar (the series Mary & George) are set to lead a new Sky Original series titled Iris. Created by Luther’s Neil Cross, the official press release describes the project as “a sun-drenched chase thriller about a rootless and enigmatic genius, Iris Nixon, who steals a code from charming philanthropist Cameron McIntyre and goes on the run.” “Armed only with her lethal intelligence and chameleonic charm, the clock is ticking for her to work out what the code could unleash before she is found,” the synopsis continues.

In detail, Algar stars as Nixon, a social media manager and puzzle addict who spends her free time solving complex riddles. When she stumbles across a post online about a highly secretive code, she puts herself forward to try and crack it – leading her straight to McIntyre (portrayed by Hollander). But all is not as it seems and — realising she has unwittingly unlocked a powerful new technology for McIntyre to use at will — Iris decides to steal it and disappear, leading to a cat-and-mouse chase with the philanthropist that spans the globe.

Commenting on the project, Cross said: “All I wanted to do was to make a show I wanted to watch. Iris is an unapologetically exciting, witty, chase-driven adventure show and features a lead character the like of which I don’t think we’ve ever met before on TV. With Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander bringing these complex characters to life, coupled with Terry McDonough’s direction, I couldn’t be more excited to share this world and these characters.”

Terry McDonough is attached as the lead director, and the cast is rounded off by stars Meréana Tomlinson (The Trials), Sacha Dhawan (The Great), Maya Sansa (Good Morning, Night [+see also:
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interview: Marco Bellocchio, director …
film profile]), Peter Sullivan (Poldark) and Debi Mazar (Younger). The show is set to enter production this month in Sardinia, Italy with Sarah O’Gorman also directing.

Iris is a co-production by Sky Studios and Fremantle. Tim Bricknell is serving as the series producer, whilst Susan E. Connolly and Ian Scott McCullough are on the writing team. Cross and McDonough are the project's executive producers alongside Dante Di Loreto and Jenni Sherwood for Fremantle, and Adrian Sturges for Sky Studios. Wildside is providing production services in Italy.

The series will be released on Sky and Now in the UK and select European territories. Fremantle is in charge of its world sales.