Chaplin

“Maya,” Channel 4’s upcoming witness protection thriller series starring Bella Ramsey and Daisy Haggard, has started shooting in Scotland, with a host of names joining the cast.

Written and created by BAFTA and International Emmy nominee Haggard (“Back To Life,” “Breeders”), who will also make her directorial debut, co-directing the series from Two Brothers Pictures (“The Tourist,” “Fleabag,” “Boat Story”) alongside Jamie Donoughue (“Doctor Who,” “The Last Kingdom”).

In the six-part series Ramsey plays the titular, Maya, teenage daughter of Anna (Haggard). Forced into a witness protection programme to escape a life-threatening danger, Anna and Maya leave their London lives and parents, Nancy (Harriet Walter – “Succession”, “Ted Lasso”) and George (Tom Courtenay – “Quartet,” “45 Years”) behind, taking on new identities and relocating to a small rural town in Scotland. Aided by Senior Detective Constable Debs (Josie Walker – “Kneecap,” “Andor”) and witness protection officers Tony (Stuart Bowman – “Dept. Q,” “Rebus”) and Karen (Kiran Sonia Sawar – “Slow Horses,” “True Love”) they try to adjust to their new reality, but the trauma of their past continues to haunt them in the form of two hitmen, Benji (Ben Chaplin – “September 5,” “The Dig”) and Ted (Raphel Famotibe – “The Night Manager S2,” “Wale”) who are intent on tracking them down. As the walls close in, it becomes clear that a dangerous and calculating figure from their past, the seemingly charming Bobby (Tobias Menzies – “F1,” “The Crown”), is still a looming and very present threat.

Also joining the cast are Serena Manteghi (“The Diplomat,” “Mrs Wilson”), Archie Backhouse (“Strategic Love Play,” “Farm Hall”), Paul Blair (“Outpost,” “Outlaw King”), Sonny Poon Tip (“Industry,” “Andor”), Finlay Shack (“Dept Q”), Max Fincham (“The Tower,” “The Witness”), Ash Hunter (“Bridgerton, “Harlots”), Harry Hadden-Patton (“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,” “Twisters”), Tori Allen-Martin (“Here We Go,” “London Kills”) and Isabele Derosa (“The Bombing of Pan Am 103”).

“Maya” is billed as “darkly comedic,” and am “atmospheric psychological thriller that explores themes of predatory male behaviour, family and love, but, above all, is a warm and witty celebration of the special, unbreakable bond shared between mother and daughter.”

“After years of writing and dreaming this show up… I’m absolutely thrilled that we have started filming ‘Maya’ and cannot get over what an unbelievably brilliant cast we have joining us to bring it all to life!” said Haggard. “I feel so lucky to get to work with all these remarkably talented actors as both a director and actor on this series.”

Added Two Brother Pictures exec producers Daisy Mount and Alex Mercer: “The bar was set so high on ‘Maya’ with Bella and Daisy leading the cast and Daisy’s phenomenally nuanced and entertaining scripts, so we are elated by this incredible roster of talent joining the ensemble alongside them. We can’t wait to bring the series to screens, and are hugely thankful to Channel 4, as well as our incredible cast and Scottish crew.”

Said Gemma Boswell, commissioning editor, Channel 4 Drama: “It’s a pleasure to reveal the stellar ensemble cast for ‘Maya.’ The fantastic scripts have enticed such esteemed and exciting talent, led by Daisy and Bella. Set against a stunning Scottish backdrop, we’re delighted that filming is now underway.”

“Maya” is a Two Brothers Pictures (an All3Media company) production, in association with All3Media International. The 6×60 drama has been written and created by Haggard who will also serve as executive producer, with Harry and Jack Williams, Sarah Hammond, Mercer and Mount serving as executive producers for Two Brothers Pictures. Kenny Tanner is Producer, Donoughue will co-direct and serve as co-executive Producer and Shaheen Baig is casting director. The commissioning editor for Channel 4 is Boswell. All filming will take place on location in Scotland.