Contents

PressRelease 3- 4

ForewordbyTimHaines(executiveproducer) 5

CharacterBiographies 6- 7

CastInterviews 8- 23

EpisodeSynopses 24- 27

CastandProductionCredits 28- 29

BackPage 30

***ContentsofthispackarestrictlyembargoeduntilThursday 1June0001hrs***

NewsixpartmurdermysterythrillerTheLoch from ITVStudios

Thebeautiful,hauntingshoresofScotland’smosticoniclochisthestunningbackdropfornewsix-partdrama,TheLochwhichisproducedbyITVStudios.

AcclaimedactorsLauraFraser(HoudiniandDoyle,TheMissing,Peter&Wendy),SiobhanFinneran(HappyValley,Benidorm,DowntonAbbey)andJohnSessions(UpstartCrow,FlorenceFosterJenkins,TheRackPack)starinthenewseriesalongsideDonGilét (BriefEncounters,HolbyCity,EastEnders),GrayO'Brien(TheDanielConnection,Titanic:BloodandSteel,CoronationStreet)andWilliamAsh(TheTunnel,MovingOn,DeathinParadise).

Inacommunitynourishedandsustainedbymythandborderedbyuntamednature,thesearchforaserialkillerbecomesamatteroflifeanddeathforlocaldetectiveAnnieRedford(playedbyLauraFraser)whoistryingtocopewithherfirstmurdercase.WhenthebodyoflocalmanNiallSwiftisfoundatthefootofCarnMohrMountainandanisolatedhumanheartonthelochshore,thetown’snormalityisshatteredandthenightmarebegins.Chillingly,Thebeautifulscenery,undulatinghighlandsandvastexpansivelochbecomesacharacterinit’sownrightaddingahauntingdepthtothecommunity’splight.

WrittenbyStephenBrady(Fortitude,Vera,SilentWitness)andoverseenbyITVStudiosCreativeDirectorforDramaandExecutiveProducerTimHaines(Beowulf,Primeval,Sinbad),TheLochintroducesAnnieandherfamily– husbandAlan(playedbyGrayO’Brien),atourboatoperatoronthelochandtheironlychildEvie,whoat18,isabouttoleavehomeforAustralia.TheRedford’sareanordinarylovingfamilywithanordinarysetofproblems,yetthepressureofamurderinvestigationwillunderminetheirstabilityandcreatetensionsthatthreatentodisruptanddestroytheirlivestogether.Withinthetightlyknitcommunity,severallocalcharacterswillcomeundersuspicionasthemonsterlurkingintheirmidstbeginstoterrifyandrockthevillagetoitscore.

ExecutiveproducerTimHainescommented:“Serialkillersaremonstersthatliebeneaththesurfaceofnormalhappycommunities.Wherebettertohuntforonethaninaplacethathasthrivedoffitsownmonstermythforcenturies- LochNess.”

TheLochhasbeencommissionedforITVbyformerDramaCommissionerSteveNovemberandDramaCommissionerJaneHudson.

WorkingalongsideExecutiveProducerTimHaines,AlanJ(Willy)Wands(JonathanStrangeandMrNorrell,Stonemouth,TheFieldofBloodWhiskyGalore!)producesTheLochwithBrianKelly(DowntonAbbey,Outlander,Dracula,Lewis)asleaddirector.CillaWarewillalsodirecttheseries.TheLochisdistributedinternationallybyITVStudiosGlobalEntertainment.

TheLochfilmedintheHighlandsofScotlandduringthesummerof2016andissupportedbyCreativeScotland’sProductionGrowthFund.

RobbieAllen,SeniorScreenExecutiveatCreativeScotlandsaid:“CreativeScotlandisdelightedtohaveworkedwithITVStudiosonthisthrillingmurdermystery,setontheshoresofLochNess.TheProductionGrowthFundhasallowedustobringanotherhigh-profiletelevisionproductiontoScotland,furtherdevelopingScotland’sreputationasakeyfilmingdestinationwhereproductionscanbenefitfromworkingwithourworldclasscraftandtechnicaltalent.”

NotetoEditors:

AboutCreativeScotland

TheLochwhichfilmedintheHighlandsofScotlandduring2016issupportedbyCreativeScotland’sProductionGrowthFund,whichaimstoattractandgrowfilmproductioninScotland,creatingemploymentopportunities,encouragingtheuseofproductionfacilitiescompaniesanddeliveringsignificanteconomicbenefit.RecentproductionsalsosupportedbyCreativeScotland’sProductionGrowthFundincludetheITVseriesMuncieproducedbyWorldProductions.

PresscontactsforITV:

JoBlanket,02071573011/jo.blanket@itv.com

PicturecontactforITV:PatrickSmith,02071573044/patrick.smith@itv.com

IntroductionTimHaines,executiveproducer

TraditionallytheHighlandlochshavebeenanevocativesourceofmysteryanddarksecrets.Intheirpeatydepthstheyhavehiddenallsortsofnightmaresthatinvariouswayscanbevisitedonthepeoplewholiveontheirshores.Ofcoursenowadaysallthismythandlegendstuffisstrictlyforthetourists.Lochsaresimply,emptycoldplacestobeenjoyedfortheirstarkbeauty.Butwhatifonedidholdadarksecret.Oneputtherebyamoderndaymonster.‘TheLoch’openswithabodyweigheddowninitsdepths– heisthefirstvictimofaserialkiller.

ThiswasthestartingpointforthewriterStephenBrady.Thebodyanditsrelationshiptothekillerformthecoreofthissix-partmurdermystery.AsthebodyishiddenbeneaththesurfaceofLochNesstheresidentsofthelocaltownofLochnefoyareblissfullyunawareofitspresence,justastheyhavenoideathattheyhavearuthlesskillerintheirmidst.However,theapparentHighlandidleofLochnefoy isrockedwhenasecondbodyappearsandafullmurderinvestigationgetsunderway.LikeeveryoneinthecommunitycopAnnieRedfordfindsithardtobelievethisishappeninginhertown.GlasgowdetectiveLaurenQuigleyisbroughtintoheaduptheinvestigationandsheisundernoillusionaboutthedarkersideofhumannature.Soonthesecretsbeginningtobubbletosurfaceastheyexposethecover-upsandliesthateventuallyleadAnnieandLaurentothekiller.

Centraltotheatmosphereandtoneof‘TheLoch’istheplaceitself.SetaroundtheshoresofLochNesstheseriescontraststhedarkdeedsofhumanswiththebeautyofthesetting.Fromaproductionpointofview,weweredeterminedtosetasmuchaspossibleintheHighlandseventhoughitwastoughtofindeverythingweneededroundtheLochitself.ProducerAlanJWandsoversawaScottishteamthatworkedoverthesummerof2016betweentheHighlandsandstudiosjustoutsideGlasgow.TogetherwithdesignerAndyHarris,theycreatedStephen’svisionofanaïvecommunitythatforyearshasthrivedonpretendstoriesofmonstersonlytobefacedwitharealone.ThebeautifulFortAugustusisthelocationforthefictionaltownofLochnefoywhilstthewildcountrysideoftheseriesispickedfromacrosstheHighlands.

AstrongScottishcastisledbyLauraFraserwhobringsawarmthbutsteelinesstoherroleasourheroinecopAnnie.WhileSiobhanFinneranisDCIQuigley,theoutsiderwhoknowsherkillerisprobablyhidinginplainsight.Thesetwoformanunlikelyteamasfirstayoungmangoesmissingandthenthetownisswampedwhentheworld’spresshearsthereisa‘real’monsteratLochNess.

DirectedbyBrianKellyandCillaWaretheactionswirlsaroundthelochasthepressureofguilttearsthecommunityapart.MeanwhilethebodyintheLochremainsundiscoveredholdingontoitsgrimsecretuntiltheveryend.

AnnieRedfordplayedbyLauraFraserAnnieisadedicatedbutdissatisfiedDetectiveSergeantworkingintheruralcommunityof Lochanfoy.Sheisawifeandmothertoateenagedaughterbuthersafeworldbeginstounravelwhenthetownisthreatenedbyaseriesofsinistermurders.

LaurenQuigleyplayedbySiobhanFinneranBrightandforthright,sheisasinglemindedcareerofficer,whoisefficient,focusedandunimpededbysentimentifitmeansgettingthejobdone,butthereisabigheartsomewhereinsideahardshell.ShewantstogetthekillercaughtandbacktoGlasgowtosecurethepromotionshe'sbeenworkingtowardsherentirecareer.

FrankSmilie playedbyJohnSessionsTraditional,oldschoolcop,onthevergeofretirement.He'lldoanythingforaquietlifeandhelooksafterhisown,evenifitmeansbendingtherules.HewasQuigley'ssuperiorwhenshejoinedtheforce.Nowthey'reequals.TwoChiefs,oneterritory.

BlakeAlbrightonplayedbyDonGilétAnattractive,flirtatious,highlyintelligentforensicpsychologist,whosearrogancemasksadeepchildhoodwound.Duetotheunusualnatureofthemurder,hehasbeenseconded tothecasebyDCIQuigley. Someofficersseehimmoreashindrancethanhelpastheyembarkontheirsearchofthekiller.

AlanRedfordplayedbyGray O’BrienHeisalocal'Nessie'tourboatoperatorandhusbandtoAnnie,whomheadores.However,asAnnie'sinvolvementtheinthecaseintensifies,Alanfindshimselfbecomingmoreandmoreestrangedfromhiswife.

EvieRedfordplayedbyShonaMcHughAnnieandAlan'sspiritedteenagedaughter.AteenageprankputsEvieandherpalsonthepoliceradar. Herrebelliousnatureanddesiretofindoutwhat'shappenedtoherfriendputsherindeadlydanger.

LeightonThomasplayedbyWilliamAshAdamaged,brittle,frustratedmanseekingrehabilitationinthesmalltown.Thetragiceventsremindhimofapasthe'dratherforget,apastthatalsomakeshimaprimesuspect.

PCJasonDennyAyoungofficer,stillwetbehindtheearsandalthoughJasonisnotthekeenestofminds, heiseagertolearnandalwayshaspeople'sbestinterestsatheart.

KieranWhiteheadKieranisoneofEvie'sfriendsfromcollege.He'squickwitted, good-lookingandhelpshismotherBeacareforhisbedriddenbrotherwho'ssufferingfromlocked-insyndrome. Hecarrieshisresponsibilitywithhumourandgrace,furtherfuellingEvie'scrushonhim.

Character Biographies

Jonjo PattersonFriendto EvieandKieranandthejokerofthegroup.HisparentsKenandNicoleruntheabattoirand,likemanyteenagers,hehasatendencytopushthemtotheirlimits.Jonjo suffersfrombi-polardisorderwhich,whenheneglectshismedication,canresultinerraticbehaviour.

KenPattersonRunsthelocalabbatoir,fathertoJonjo,husbandtoNicole.Hisbusinessisstruggling.Eventsrelatingtothemurdercouldfinishitaltogether.Hesoonrealiseshisbusinessistheleastofhisworries.

NicolePattersonMothertoJonjo.Nicoleis adetermined,intelligentwomanwhohelps runherhusbandKen'sbusinessandalsoworksasaprobationofficer.

BeaWhiteheadAqualifiednurse,now,withKieran'shelp,fulltimecarertohersonJordanwhosuffersfromlocked-insyndrome.ShemovedhersonstoLochnafoy twoyearsearlier,tomakeafreshstart.Beaisakind,gentlewomanwhowoulddoanythingforhersons.

JordanWhiteheadWhenJordansufferedfromananeurysmthedoctorsexpectedhimtorecover.Insteadherelapsedintolocked-insyndrome.Hehasanawarenessoftheworldbutiscompletelyunabletomoveandreliantonthecareofhisbrotherandmother.

DrSimonMarrSimonisthelocaldoctorandhasbeenrecentlywidowed.Likeeveryoneinthetown,Marrhastruthsabouthispasthewouldpreferremainundiscovered.

CraigPetrieCraigistheHeadofLochnafoycollege.Heisanaccomplishedacademic,exceptionallyeruditewithapropensityforarrogance.Hehastwokidsheadores.

KirstyPetrieKirstyismarriedtoCraigPetrie.Theirsisacomplicatedrelationshipwhichunderthemicroscopeoftheinvestigationbeginstocrack.

NiallSwiftThelocalpianoteacher. Inthetwelvemonthshe'sbeeninLochnafoyhe'sworkedhardtomakehimselfpartofthecommunitybut,despiteappearances,feelshiseffortshaveneverbeenreciprocated.

Character Biographiescontinued

Castinterviews

LauraFraserplaysAnnieRedford

CanyoutelluswhatdrewyoutoTheLoch?

“I’dhadfouryearsofworkingawayfromhomesothefactitwassetandfilmedinScotlandwasahugedraw.ThenwhenIreadthescriptsIwasfascinatedbyalltheanimalsymbolism.There’stheLochNessmonster,wolves,crowsandtheoddmutilatedsheep.AllthisinterestingimagerythatIfeltwasquiteunusual.

“IalsolikedthecharacterofAnnie,thevillagecopworkingonherfirstmurdercase.Sheisfulltothebrimofpent-uppotentialshehasnevergottousebefore.She’sontheedgeandcouldgoeitherway.Ifthiscasehadn’tcomeupthatpotentialmighthaveturnedtobitterness.Soalthoughno-onewantstoseeamurder,forherasapoliceofficeritenableshertofocusherenergiesandstartlearninghowtobecomeaproperdetective.

“Itwasalsointerestingthewayshemakesmistakesandisoverwhelmedbyitalittlebit.Notknowingwhat’stherightwaytogoaboutthings.Becauseshe’sneverdoneitbefore,eventhoughsheis40yearsold.”

Sopreviously,hasAnniehadtocontendwithsomelessthanchallengingpolicejobs?

“Whenyou’re20youcanhandlethat.Maybeyougetaweebitgrumpybutyoucandealwithit.Butwhenyou’re40andyouknowyoucandomuchmoreitisveryfrustratingandalittlehumiliating.

“Anniehadopportunitiesearlierinherlife.ShecouldhavegonetoabiggercitylikeGlasgowandprogressedinhercareer.Butshechosenotto.InsteadoftakingresponsibilityforthatIthinksheblamesherhusbandAlanfornotsupportingher.

“Althoughthat’snotreallyfair.Itwasherowndecision.Andatthesametimeshe’shadanicelifeinthevillage.SheandAlanarefairlycontented.Theyhavealaughandagiggle.Everybodyknowsherandit’shercommunity.Whichmakesitalltheworsewhenthisdevastationripsthroughthatcommunity.”

DoesAnnieknowsecretsaboutcertainpeopleinhercommunity?

“Yesshedoes.Itmustmakeitsostrangebeingacopinasmallvillagewhenyouknoweverybodyandyouknoweverybody’ssecrets.Youaretheholderofallthisinformationandyoucan’teventellyourfamily.Ithinkthat’simpressivebutalsoquitealienatingtobeinthatsituation.”

HowdoesAnniegetonwiththeincomingEnglishpolicebossDCILaurenQuigleyfromGlasgow?

“AtfirstAnnieisdesperatetoimpressQuigley.SheadmiresandrespectsQuigley’sworkethicandwantstobothproveherselftoherandlearnfromher.Butatthesametimesheiswrong-footedandcompromised.Anniefeelsmisunderstoodandmisrepresented.ThenlateronQuigleygrowstolikeandrespectAnnie.EverysceneIhadwithSiobhan,Icouldn’tstoplaughing.She’sjustsohilarious.Icouldn’tkeepittogether.”

DoesTheLochaskthequestion:‘Whoistherealmonster?’

“Thewolf,inparticular,representswild,brutalviolence.Thebeastwithin.Everybodyhastheirownshadow.Theshadowwithin.Ifindallofthatreallyinteresting.Maybeitexplainswhyweallliketoreadorwatchdarkstories.Sometimespeoplewanttolookatmonstersandholdthedarknessupinthelight.Thenputitawaysafely.

“We’reallhumanbeingsandsomearecapableoftrulyhideousacts.Aswellasbeautifulacts.It’squitescarywhenyoulookatwhatpeoplearecapableof.”

Onecharacterdescribesthecommunityasagroupofpeopledrawntogetherbylies.Whatdidyouthinkaboutthat?

“Ilikethatideaofapaper-thinveneerofcivilisation.Andwhenthatissuddenlyrippedapartbythesemurdersit’sshocking.Buttherearethingspre-emptingheroutlookanddemeanour.LiketheselittlerupturesoccurringalreadyinAnnie’slife.Therepressedresentmentatherhusband,thedevastationaboutherdaughterwhowantstomovetoAustralia.

“WheretheyliveintheGreatGleninLochNessisactuallyanactivefaultline.Atonepointtherewasanearthquakethere.Allofthatmakesitreallyinteresting.Alloftheselittleripplesandthenthelochasacharacterinitself.Itaffectseveryone.”

LauraFraser interviewcontinued

HadyoubeentoLochNessbefore?

“I’dneverbeentoLochNessbefore.AndI’dneverbeentoalotoftheplaceswewentto.Whichisdisgraceful.OrifIdid,Ididn’trememberbecauseIwasprobablyjustayoungchild.TheGreatGlenwasimpressive.AndIreallylovedGlencoe.ItwaswheretheyshotSkyfall.It’sthemostbeautifulplaceI’veeverbeentoinmylife.Ithought,‘OhmyGod,thishasbeenhereallalong.It’sridiculousIhaven’tbeenherebefore.’”

DoyoubelieveinNessie,theLochNessmonster?

“It’sabitlikeatoothfairy,isn’tit?Idon’tthinkanyonereallybelievesit’sreal,dothey?AhundredyearsagoIwoulddefinitelyhavebelieved.Buttoday?Sadlyno.”

WefirstseeAnnieinanicecurlingscene.Hadyoubeencurlingbefore?

“No,never!Ithoughtitwasgoingtoabitdull.ButIactuallygotreallyintoitandthoughtI’dwanttodothis.Althoughitinvolvessettingupawholeteam,hiringalaneandmakingitaveryregularthing.SothenIthought,‘Och,that’snevergoingtohappen.’ButIdidloveit.

“Theymadeustakeaverylonglessonbeforeweevergotontheice.Theguyteachinguswassosweet.It’saveryinterestingsport.There’ssomethingsocleanandsatisfyingaboutglidingontheice.”

Anniegetsveryangryinonescene?Whatmakesyouangryinlife?

“Thatwasagreatscene.Ireallyenjoyeddoingthat.Annieissoupsetonsomanyfronts.InreallifeI’mveryirritable,asmyhusbandwilltestify.Toomuchcoffeesetsmeoffbutitdoesn’tstopmedrinkingit.AtthedropofahatIcangetveryannoyedandirritated.WalkingalongthestreetifsomeonebumpsintomeorIbumpintothem,ofcourseit’stheirfaultandnotmine.Iangerveryquickly.”

TheLochisdirectedbyBrianKellyandCillaWare.WhatdifferencedoesagooddirectormaketoaTVdrama?

“Agooddirectorcreatesanatmospherewhereyoufeelrelaxedandconcentratedenoughtodoyourbestwork.Youcan’tperformwellifyou’renotfeelingcomfortableintheenvironment.Youhavetofeelreasonablysafeandthatno-oneisgoingtogetlaughedatorshoutedat.Creatingthatatmosphereisveryimportant.Alongwithbeingallowedenoughtimetohaveatleasttwoorthreetakes.Notfeelingrushed.Creatinganatmospherewhereeverybodythinkseverybody’sjobmatters.”

Whenyou’rewatchingawhodunitonTV,areyougoodatspottingthekiller?

“Iamtheworst.Iamabsolutelyhopelessandhonestlycanwatchsomethingforasecondtimeandstillnotknow.Icanre-watchsomethingforgettingwehadalreadyseenitayearbefore.Thengettothelastpartandstillcan’trememberwhodidit.”

LauraFraser interviewcontinued

YoumustbepleasedathowmanyscreendramasarenowbeingfilmedinScotland?

“Iwasquitesurprised.ImovedbackfromAmericaayearagoandwaslongingtobehomeandbewithmyfamilyafterfouryearsoflivinginAmerica.Ithoughtitwouldn’tbeasbusyforworkandI’llprobablyhavetotravelquiteabitinEurope.ButactuallytherehasbeensomuchworkinScotlandandI’vefeltsolucky.Ihopeitcontinues.”

What’snext?

“I’mhopingtotakeatleastthreemonthsoffandjustdonormalthingsliketakingmydaughtertoschoolandallthenormalmumthingsI’vebeenmissingforacoupleofyears.Sothat’smybigplan.”

LauraFraser interviewcontinued

SiobhanFinneranplaysLaurenQuigley

CanyoutelluswhatdrewyoutoTheLoch?

“IreceivedthefirstthreescriptsandIreallyenjoyedreadingthem.IwasintriguedandexcitedaboutthecharacterandI’dworkedwiththedirectorBrianKellybeforeonDowntonAbbey.I’dheardverygoodthingsabouttheproducerWillyWandsandI’vealwaysbeenamassivefanofLauraFraserandheracting.Sothatwasawinningcombinationforme.”

“Ireallyenjoyedthattheserieshasalotofcharactersdealingwithdemons.It’saverysmallcommunitywithalotofpeoplewithpersonalproblems.Thenwhenthisinvestigationstartsafterthefirstmurdercomestolight,that’swhyweendupwithsomanysuspectsbecausetherearepeople- asalwaysineverywalkoflife- dealingwithawholeloadofstuffyouneversee.

“Allthevillagehasseenuptothenissimplypeoplegettingonwiththeirlivesandgettingby.Thensuddenlythisinvestigationtakesusbehindtheclosedfrontdoors.

WhoisDCILaurenQuigley?

“LaurenQuigleyisaverysmartwomanandaverygoodcopper.ShehasworkedherwayupthroughtherankstonowbeaDCI.ShearrivesinLochnafoywantingtogetthejobdoneassoonaspossible.BackinGlasgow,wheresheisbased,sheisworkingtowardsapromotionasSuperintendent.Sothisjobisabitofaninconvenienceforher.

Castinterviews

“ThereisalsoahistorywiththelocalpolicechiefinspectorFrankSmilie,playedbyJohnSessions.Theycrossedpathswhenshewasyoungerandtheydon’thaveaverygoodrelationship.Soshearrivesinthevillagetodealwithadeadbodyanddoesn’tthinkmuchofthelocalvillagebobbies.Shebringsherownteamwithher,includingforensicpsychologistBlakeAlbrighton,playedbyDonGilét,whoshealsoahistorywith.

“QuigleyneedssomeonelocaltohelpthemoutandseesinAnniesomebodywhocouldhavebeenpotentiallylikeher.Annieisagood,smartdetectiveandknowsthearea.Andthisisthefirstbigcaseshe’sgottoworkon.Eventuallyshedevelopsafriendshipwithherandarespectforthecommunity.Theexperiencesshehastherechangethewayshefeelsaboutherjob.

“ThefactQuigleyisEnglishalsomakesamassivedifference.She’sacompleteoutsider.WhileFrankSmilie isn’tbestpleasedtoseeheragain,there’salsolocalpoliceresentmentthatit’sassumedtheycan’tdealwiththiscaseontheirown.They’reallcompletelycompetentbuttheyhaveneverhadanythinglikethistodealwith.SoQuigleycomesinasabitofawhirlwind.”

IsQuigleynotafanofthebeautyofnatureandthecountryside?

“I’mplayingherasifshe’sfromManchester.Shewillhavebeenbroughtupnearcountrysidebutit’sjustoneofthosethings.ShehasobviouslybeenacitygirlandisnowlivingandworkinginGlasgow.Sonotafanofthecountryside.

“Itisreallybeautifulwherewefilmed.Speakingformyself,IcanappreciateitsbeautybutIwouldn’twanttolookatitallofthetime.Iremembermymumsayingtomeyearsandyearsago,‘Don’tmovefarawayfromabusroute.’AndIwaslike,‘Whatareyoutalkingabout?’WeweremovingandIwaslookingathousesontopofhills.

“Butit’strue.Especiallywhenyouhaveteenagers.Theycangettoplaces.It’snotalwayshavingtogetinthecar.Icanunderstandthejoyoflivingsomewhereremoteandthatamountofpeaceandquiet.IlikebeingwhereIambecauseI’vegotthat.ButIcanalsogotothecityquickly.”

Weretheexteriorfilminglocationschallenging?

“TheweatherwasactuallymorechallenginginJulythanitwasinSeptember.Whenweshotsomeofthestuffonthetopofthecairntheweatherwashorrendous.Andthen,ofcourse,inSeptemberwehadtheseglorioussunshinefilleddayswhenwewereusuallyinthestudio.

“Butthey’reveryusedtoitupthere,asamIcomingfromthenorthofEngland.Rain,snow,abitofsunshineandhailallinthespaceofacoupleofhours.”

HadyoubeentoLochNessbefore?

“No,IhadneverbeentoLochNessbefore.IspentalotoftimebasedinGlasgowhavingneverbeenupthereforanylengthoftime.It’sbeenoneofmyfavouriteplacestoeverwork.Iabsolutelylovedit.

SiobhanFinneran interviewcontinued

“I’vegotalotoffriendsinScotlandthatI’veaccumulatedoverthepast10years.SoImanagedtohavelovelylunchdatesandthingslikethatwithpeopleupthere.IjustlovedGlasgowasacity.ItremindsmeofManchester.AndIthoughtthatwasanotherreasonwhyQuigleywouldhavemovedthere.It’snotdissimilar.

“IfoundGlasgowareallyfabulous,friendlycitytobein.Thearchitectureisgorgeous.ThedriversusedtolaughatmebecauseI’dgetbackinthevanonaMondaymorninggoingintoworkandthey’dbelike,‘Wheredidyouwalktothisweekend?’

“BecauseIwouldjustsetoffandwalkabout.IjustlovedthearchitectureofnearlyallofthebuildingsinGlasgow.IwillgoandvisitGlasgowalotmore.

“Alotofmyfriendstherearemake-upladiesandcrewmembersI’veworkedwithovertheyears.WhenIworkedonBenidormwehadamassiveScottishcontingencyonourcrew.SoalotofthemhavebecomefriendsandIsawthemlotswhilstthere.”

DoyoubelieveinNessie?

“There’salwaysthatlittlebitofyouthatgoes,‘Iwishthatwasreal.’Butifitwaseverproventhenthewholethingwouldbedestroyed.It’slikethetoothfairy.It’snicetohavethemagicofallthat.Butifyousitdownandexaminethehardfactsyouthink,‘Don’tberidiculous.’”

Whatwasitlikeworkingwithothercastmembers?

“IworkedmostlywithLauraFraserandwithDonGilét andwejusthadareallygreattime.Weallgotonreallywellwhich,hopefully,willcomeacross.

“Ilaughedlikeadrainmostofthetime.ButIdothatatworkanyway.IfI’mnotdoingthatatworkI’mreallyfedup.LauraandDon,allofus,evenondaysthatwerestressfulwemanagedtohavefunattheendofit.Whichsometimeswhenthesubjectmatterisquitebleakisabitoflightrelief.”

Onecharacter,haswhataredescribedas‘Krakatoa’moments.Isthereanythingthatmakesyoureallyangryinlife?

“Injusticemakesmeangry.I’mnotanangryhumanbeing.Butanykindofinjustice,whetheritbeachildbeingblamedforsomethingthey’venotdonetohugeissuesofblame,orpeoplejustbeingblamedforbeingthemselves.Thatupsetsme.Peoplenotbeingfair.

“I’vegotalotofroadrage.Butthat’sanotherstory.Peoplegetangrybehindthewheel,whichisnotgood.ButifI’vegotnicemusiconinthecarI’musuallyfine.”

SiobhanFinneran interviewcontinued

JohnSessionsplaysFrankSmilie

CanyoutelluswhatattractedyoutoTheLoch?

“I’dneverdoneanythinglikethisbefore.IwasveryattractedbythefactSiobhanFinneranwasdoingit.Ithinksheisamarvellous actressandis,asitturnsout,anabsolutedelighttoworkwith.Alovelywoman.Reallydowntoearth,nononsense.Andterriblygood.It’sbeenabitofanactinglessonworkingwithher,tobehonest.Becauseyoudon’tseeanyactingvisible.IhadalsoworkedwithlovelyLauraFraser20yearsagoanditwasgreattobebackwithher.”

FrankSmilie appearstohavebeennamedwithacertainamountofirony?

“Frankisaseenitall,doneitallcopper.He’squitechauvinistandcliqueyandveryoldschool.Isupposehe’swhatyouwouldcallabitofacurmudgeon.

“ThenDCILaurenQuigley,playedbySiobhanFinneran,isbroughtin.Awoman,English,hasherownwayofdoingthings.Thiswomandisturbshimbecauseshealsoknowshispast.He’snotcrazyabouther.FrankwashersergeantwhenshefirststartedandQuigleyhassinceflownuptheranks.

“Shebringsthisotherblokein- BlakeAlbrighton,playedbyDonGilét whowenttouniversity,isclever,intoallthispsycho-babblethatFrankthinksisallaloadofnonsenseand,ontopofitall,isgoodlooking.PressingallofFrank’sbuttons.ThenBlakechucksinafirecracker,whichisjustaboutitforFrank.

Castinterviews

“Frankisoldschool.He’sthatalphamaleinside.SomebodyreferstoFrankasa‘silverback’.Whichmeanshe’sagorilla.BlakeissmartandfullofinformationthatFrankknowsnothingabout.AlbrightonisascaremongerasfarasFrankisconcerned.Suddenlytheworld’spressarrivesandFrankisabsolutelyincandescent.Hestillhastolivethereaftertherestoftheworldhasgone.”

SowouldyoudescribeFrankasanangryman?

“FrankhaswhatarecalledKrakatoamoments.Whenheshoutspeoplejump.Hecanbeterrifyingtotheyoungerrecruits.TheclockistickingforFrank.Partofhimiswaitingforthatpension.Hemoansallthetime.

“Frankisknowntocutcorners.Thereistheworld’swayandthereisFrank’sway.He’sasmoke-filledbackroomuntilfourinthemorningkindofaguy.Hetakespeopleintocorridorsandholdsthemupagainstthewall.IthinkwecanassumeFrankcanlookafterhimself.”

AreappearancesimportanttoFrank?

“HehasphotosofhimselfwithGordonBrownandRoryMcIlroyondisplayinhisoffice.WhichIguesssayssomethingabouthim.Appearancesareimportanttohim.Buthedoesn’tgotobarbecueswiththem.He’sabigfishinasmallpond.Lochnafoy isnotMiamiVice.Therearefishinginfractions,drivingandparkingoffences.Theyhaveneverhadaserialkilleruntilnow.”

YouleftScotlandagedtwoorthreebutstillidentifystronglywiththecountry.HadyoubeentoLochNessbefore?

“IhadneverbeentoLochNessbefore.SoI’mnotaNessieexpertatall.Ithinktodayit’smoreofanentertainingmyth.Unlessyou’rerunningatourboatcompany.Butit’sgreatsomanydramasarefilminginScotlandnow.”

Isthechoiceoflocationimportant?

“AlanWandsourproducerwasverykeentogiveasenseofplaceandofacommunity.Obviouslyeverybodyknowseverybodyelse’sbusiness.ThenLaurenQuigleycomesinanddoesn’ttreaddelicately.

“It’spartofthedramatoindicatethismonsterisn’tinthelochbutinthecommunity.Whoisthemonster?Whoisthekiller?You’vegottorememberthat50percentoftheworkisbeingdonebytheviewer.Thelastthingyoumustdoisplantreal,incontrovertibleseedsintheirmind.You’vegottokeepthemguessing.Hopefullywedothat.

“ThegreatthingaboutAlanisheissoexperienced.Hehasareallygoodgraspofwhathewantsoutofaseries.Andhewillgetthatbytalkingprincipallytothedirectors.Hehasproducedsomuchovertheyearsthathejustknowshisjob.He’sveryclearaboutwhathewantsandheknowshowtomakegoodtelevision.”

JohnSessionsinterviewcontinued

Gray O’BrienplaysAlanRedford

CanyoutelluswhatappealedtoyouaboutTheLoch?

“Ihadn’tworkedwiththedirectorBrianKellybeforebutI’dheardalotabouthim.IwalkedintomeetBrianandwereallyhititoff.ThecharacterwastotallydifferentformebecauseIdon’treallyplaythosekindofpeople.WehadadiscussionaboutAlanRedfordbeingimportantintherespecthiswifeisapoliceofficerandheispartofthelocalcommunity.Andyetheisapart.

“Withoutquestion,everyoneofthose20principalcastthoughtthosefirstscriptswerereallyexciting.That’swhyIwantedtodoit.It’salsofilmedinbeautifulcountrysidewithanalmostdreamcastwithlotsofpeopleI’dwantedtoworkwithinthepastorhadalreadyworkedwith.Areallygoodensemble.”

WhoisAlanRedford?

“AlanwasbornandbredinLochnafoy.He’saHighlanderfromthatarea.HeandAnnielivearelativelysimplelifetogether.AlanhashisownboatanddoesboattoursfortouristslookingforNessie.WhileourdaughterEvieisateenagerwhoisabouttogoonatriptoAustralia.

“Hisboathassonarandallthethingsthetouristscomefor.That’shisbreadandbutter.”

Castinterviews

ComingfromGlasgow,didyouknowtheareawell?

“IknowalotofthatareabutI’dneverbeentoLochNess.WhenIwasyoungerIusedtoclimbalotofMunros.AMunroisanythingover3000feet.IthinkIclimbedabout58whenIwasyounger.SoIknewthesurroundingareaquitewellbuthadneveractuallybeentoLochNess.WeshotalotinGlencoe,whichIknowwell.IncludingGlenEtivewhereIcampedalmosteveryotherweekendfromtheageof15or16.

“LochNesswasquiteaneye-openerforme.I’veneverbeenasailororbeeninwateragreatdeal.Wespentseveraldaysfilmingontheloch.Theamazingthingwiththatistheboatchanges,itmovesallofthetimewiththeswell.Soitchangesdirectionevenwhenit’snotgoingforward.Andthelightandcloudcomesin.Soeachofthosehillschangesconstantly.

“Itwasalmostlikeseeingtimelapsephotographyhappeninrealtime.Thecloudsmovingoverandthecolours changing.Itwasquiteincredible.You’reinthecentreofthelochandit’squiteaview.Justbeautiful.

“Wedidn’thavethebestluckintheworldwiththeweather.ItrainedagreatdeallastsummerinScotland.ItwasaverywetsummercomparedtothesouthofEngland,whichhaditreallysunny.Butitwasjustgreat.Beautiful.

“Mostofthetimewewereouttheregettingsoaked.Thereweretwoorthreedayswhereallwecoulddowasshootrain.Becausethat’sallwehad.Butgenerallywhathappensisitstartsrainingsoyoustartshootinginrain.Thenitstopsandthesuncomesout.Sowehaveblueskyandthecloudshavegone.Nothingmatchesonscreenanditjustlookslikeyou’reshootingindifferentplaces.Soyouhavetoavoidthathappening.”

WasitdifficultfilmingaboardAlan’sLochNessMonsterhuntingboat?

“Theguywhoownedtheboat,Ally,hadjustpickeditupafewdaysbefore.Itwasn’tabrandnewboatbutitwasnewerthantheonehehadandbiggerandfaster.AndAlan’sfictionaljobisexactlywhathedid.HeisatouroperatoronLochNess.

“IwasquicklytaughthowtonavigatetheboatbuttherewasonepointwhereWillAsh,whoplaysanothertourboatskipperLeightonThomas,andIhadtosailquiteclosetoeachother.Allysaid,‘Ionlygottheboattwodaysago.Couldyoubeverycareful,please!’Thankfullytherewerenomishaps.Itwasgreatfun.”

DolotsofforeigntouristsstillgotoLochNessinsearchofthemonster?

“It’simportantforAlantosellthatmake-believe.That’shisbusiness.Apparentlyonlymonthsagotherewerethreesealsswimmingtogetherandonsonaritlookedlikethreehumps.Soitstillfoolspeopletothisday.There’snowayAlancansaytothetouristsit’sjustamyth.”

Gray O’Brien interviewcontinued

TheLochposesthequestion,‘Whoistherealmonster?’Whatdidyoumakeofthat?

“It’sagreatidea.WhoistheLochNessMonster?NotwhatorwhereistheLochNessMonster?WhoistheLochNessMonster?Soitbecomessomethingcompletelydifferent.It’sveryinteresting.Ihavetosaynotoneofusknewwhothekillerwasuntilwegotthefinalscripts.Soabsolutelyeveryoneisasuspect.”

Alangoesicecurlinginthefirstepisode.Didyouenjoyfilmingthosescenes?

“Ilovedthecurling.Itwasagreatthingtotry.LauraandIweretoldwebothhadaproficiencyandoneoftheteamswastryingtopoachus.I’dneverdoneitbefore.MyaimwhenItriediceskatingwhenIwasyoungerwassimplytostandupright.It’sverydifficulttoholdthatbalancebutverygoodfun.Weallhadtherightkitonandlookedthepart.

“Itwasfunnyattheendwhenwejustwantedsomeonetorollthislaststoneinandmakecontact.Andtheycouldn’tdoitbecauseitwasoverashorterdistanceandtheycouldn’tgettheweightoftheshotright.Everysingleoneofthemtriedandtheywereallpullingtheirhairout.”

Oneofthecharactershasmomentsofexplosiveanger.Isthereanythingthatmakesyoureallyangry?

“Whatreallyannoysmeiswhenyou’reinthecarandsomeoneinfrontofyouisdrivingalongamainroadat20mph.Thentheycometoaslightbendintheroadandbrake.Youthink,‘Howcanyoubrake?Howcanyougoanyslower?’

“Weallhavetocountto10.‘Whyiseverybodynotasimportantasmeandhastogetthereasquicklyasme!’I’mnottalkingaboutspeeding.Justthatthingofyouarealreadygoingridiculouslyslowly.Howcanyougoevenslowerthanthat?Thesearethepeoplethatbringtheroadtoastandstill.

“It’sjustsillythingslikethat.Ithinkthebestthingtodointhosesituations,whichIdotryanddo,issmile.Becausetherearepeoplemuchmoreiratethanyou.You’vejustgottosmile.Andalittleshrugsometimesisenoughjusttosay,‘Wouldyoubelieveit?’Thatcansettleanddeflateasituation.”

WhatdifferencedoesadirectorlikeBrianKellymaketoaserieslikethis?

“Agooddirectorhastohaveagreatbutdifferentrelationshipwithboththecrewandthecast.Youhavetobeeverythingtoeveryone.Everyactorwilllookatsomethingandsay,‘Doyouknow,Idon’tquitethinkIwouldsaythat.’Andit’ssometimesdifficulttodifferentiatebetweenthecharacterandyouplayingthecharacter.

“Thedirectorhastobeadiplomatandstaytruetothewriting.It’sveryimportantweputthewriter’swordsonscreen.It’stooeasytosay,‘Iwouldn’tsaythatlikethat.’Well,you’renotAlan,you’reGray,forexample.Adirectorhastolistentoyourthoughtsandexplainhisthoughts.He’sseeingthewholething,asopposedtojustyourcharacter.

“Healsohastohavethecrewonsidesotheycompletelyunderstandhisvisionandwhatheistryingtodo.Thedirectorhastobeabitofamagicianbecausehe’sgottobeanegocarouser.Hehastokeepeveryonehappyandconfident.

Gray O’Brien interviewcontinued

Whilemakingjokestothecrew.That’swheredirectorsstrugglesometimes.Theydon’thavebothcastandcrewonside.

“Brianwasagreatdiplomatlikethat.Youalwaysfinishedascenethinking,‘Right,that’sabsolutelyit.He’shappy.Andifhe’shappy,I’mhappy.’Becausewedon’talwaysknowwhatwe’vedone.Ifweplaythetruth,weplaythetruth.Andyou’vegottotrustsomeoneelsewhenyouask,‘DidIactuallygetthat?DidItellthatstorywiththatlookorwiththatline?’

“It’sthenuancesintelevision.Ifthecameraisinverytightyoumustdomuchlessthaniftheshotisquitewide.Sothere’sagreatdealoftrustinvolvedthere.AgooddirectorhastobeabitlikeMotherHenandabitliketheconductor.AndIreallylikedthatfromBrian.Ifelthegotgreatresponsesfromeveryone.”

YoumustbepleasedatthenumberofscreendramasbeingfilmedinScotland?

“It’sbeenareallygoodsummerforfilminginScotland.Therewerelotsofthingsbeingfilmedthereandthatappearstobecontinuing.It’sgreat.Peoplelovetolookatthatscenery.Ithinkanew,bigScottishmovieislongoverdueafterBraveheartandRobRoy.That’sover20yearsagonow.It’sabouttimewehadanotherbigblockbuster.Aslongasyoucancopewiththemidgesandtherain,it’snoproblem.”

What’snextforyou?

“AlanRedfordinTheLochhasabeard.It’sthefirsttimeI’veeverhadabeardinanything.I’vealwaysbeencleanshaven.Ihadn’tshavedforaweekwhenIwentintoseeBrianandhesaid,‘Willyoukeepthatbeard?’Andasitsohappens,peoplekeptsayingIsuitedthebeard.SoI’mholdingontothebeardforabittoseeiftheywantitformynextroleornot.”

Gray O’Brien interviewcontinued

Castinterviews

CanyoutelluswhoBlakeAlbrighton is?

“Blakeisacriminalpsychologisthiredtohelpwiththeinvestigationandhetriestogetintothemindsofkillers.Hefindsouthowtheythink,whytheydowhattheydo.Whatkindofbackgroundtheywouldhavetodothesekindsofkillings.Thecluestheyleave.It’sforBlaketoworkoutwhatkindofpersonisbehindthat.”

Blakeisdescribedas40s,handsome,energisedwithsuccess.

“WellobviouslythatchangedalotwhenIcametoit.Iftheywanttocallhimhandsome,that’sfine.Itriedtoplaythat.Wehadagoodmake-updepartment.Theyalsogiveyouanicecar.Soyouhavetoreflectthoseprops.He’sgotanicecar;hewearsniceclothes.It’sthetrappingsofbeingsuccessful.Hecanbequiteashowmanbutnotfromanarcissistic‘lookatme’pointofview.Hejustlikesthefinerthings.Andhe’searnedthemtoacertainextent.

“I’veseenthosecharactersthatareverysuccessfulbutthey’renotshowy.Theydon’tputonthebestclothes.Blakejustlikesthefinerthings.He’swrittenbooksandisverysuccessful.AndIdon’tmindbeingkittedoutinthefinestclothesforacharacter.I’mnotgoingtocomplain!

“Ialsolovetheoppositeofthat.Peoplewhoareexpertsandwhoareslightlyeccentricormaybeintroverted.

DonGilétplaysBlakeAlbrighton

Theyhaveabrilliantmindbuttheydon’tshowit.Andtherearesomesubtextstothemanthatdemonstratehe’snotjustshowy.He’shadsometragedyinhislife.Whichiswhyheisdriventogethismaneverytime.Itsomehowkeepshimbalanced.Thathecanstilldothingsforotherpeople.Thereisahumanbeingtherethatisstill,toacertainextent,suffering.”

Howdowefirstmeethim?

“WefirstseehimarrivinginaremotepartofScotland,drivingthroughthisgreatvistaandtakinginthescenery.Thisisnothispartoftheworld.Blakeisacity-basedhumanbeing.

“Heisdrivingintoasituationthatheisfamiliarwithintermsofthejobdescription.Buthe’shavingtodealwithawoman- DCILaurenQuigleywhohehasapastwithbutneedstojustgetonwiththejob.She’sgottogetthebestpeopleforthejobsoshehadtochoosehim.Thereissomekindofunfinishedbusinessthere.Butshecan’tcompromiseonthejobjustbecauseofherpersonalfeelings.”

WhatdidyoumakeofTheLochscriptswhenyoufirstreadthem?

“Everybodylikestothinktheirscriptsaredifferent.ButIreallydidthinkTheLochwasdifferent.I’mnotamurdermystery,copshowfan.ButonceIstartedtoreaditIthought,‘Ilikethisguy.’Youcan’tnotlikehim.It’sthatfinelinebetweenarroganceandconfidence.

“Ilikeditforthatreason.Iliketheclasheshehas.AndthehistoryofhisconnectionwithQuigley,playedbySiobhanFinneran.It’snotpushedinyourface.Therearejustthesenuancedmomentswherethereis,orwas,oristherestillsomethingthere?Playingtheawkwardnesswiththetwoofthemalonetogether.Ireallylikethosetouches.

SoBlakeislookingforarealLochNessmonsterinthelocalcommunity?

“Itotallydidn’tgetthatstraightaway;thethoughtoftherebeinganotherkindofLochNessmonster.CertainnuanceslikethatarelostonmesometimesbecauseI’mlookingtoodeepintoascript.Mycharacteractuallysearchesforthismonster.

“ButfromBlake’sperspectivehedoesn’tseeitasamonster.Heseesitaspeople.Highlytroubledpeoplebutpeopleallthesame.‘Monster’isaredtopheadlinethatisputupontheseindividuals.It’sforBlakeAlbrighton tofleshoutthehumansidetopeoplewhohavegonebad.

“Onecharactersaysthatformostpeople,themonstersareintheirhead.Ilovethosetouches.Thatthereareotherversionsof‘monster’throughoutthewholething.”

Didallgosmoothlyduringfilming?

“TheonlyBlakethatsticksinmyhead- anditcameunstuckafewtimes- isBlakeCarringtonfromtheDynastydays.TherewereafewtakeswhereIhadtosay,‘I’mBlakeAlbrighton.’Andmynaturaldefaultwas,‘I’mBlakeCarrington.’Itjustsoundednaturaltome.Peoplewerelookingatmeandlaughingandsaying,‘We’regoingtohavetodoitagain.’AndwhenIaskedwhy,theytoldme,‘BecauseyousaidBlakeCarrington.’IwishIhadhishair.”

DonGilét interviewcontinued

WhatwasitlikeworkingwithSiobhanFinneran?

“It’srarethatanyonereallyhasproblemsworkingwithafellowcastmate.Thiswasalovelysetonboththetechnicalandperformancesides.I’vewatchedSiobhanformanyyears.IncludingathingcalledApparitions,withMartinShaw.AndIthoughtshewasabsolutelybrilliant.Thenshejustpopsupeverywhere.TheSyndicate,HappyValley,BenidormandDownton.Sheturnsupandnailsthosecharacters.

“SowhenIfoundoutshewasonthis,ofcourseIwasalittlebitcoyatfirst.I’mnotonlyinthesameshowasherbutthey’reputtingmycharacteragainsthercharactertoworktogether.Itreallywasdaunting.Anditwasgreattoseeshehasaverydown-to-earth,humansidetoher.She’sveryprofessionalandhasthesameethosthatIhave.Takethejobseriouslybutnotyourself.Andshedoesthat.

“It’sgreattobeabletoworkwithsomebodywhowantstoplayandfleshoutthingstofindoutdifferentwaysyoucandothings.Ilikethat.Sometimesthereisn’ttimeforthat.Certainlyifyou’redoingasoaplikeEastEnders,there’snotreallyalotoftimetoplayaround.You’vejustgottohaveitready.Whichisanotherskillinitself.That’snotabadthing.Butit’sgreatwhenthere’ssomewiggleroomandsomecreativebreathingspacetoreallyfindthecharacterandthenuanceinthescene.Soonthatnoteshewasgreattoworkwith.Upfortryinganything.”

HowdoesBlakegetonwithChiefInspectorFrankSmilie,playedbyJohnSessions?

“FrankisnotBlake’sbiggestfan.We’reoilandvinegarinourapproachestoourjobs.BlakecanlookatSmilie asabitofaPCPlodwithasmalltownmentality.Nothinglikethishashitthistownbefore.AnditsBlake’smeatandpotatoes.Blakeknowsspecificwaystogetyourmanandhowtodoit.There’snolovelostbetweenusinthewayBlakeconductsthecaseandthewaySmilie wantstodoit.It’sgreatstorytelling.Verywellwritten.”

HadyoufilmedinScotlandbefore?

“ManyyearsagoIdidapantomimeattheGlasgowPavilion.SoitwasgreattocomebacktoGlasgowandseehowmuchithaschanged.ButI’dneverfilmedtherebefore.

“WewerefilminginFortWilliamandLochLomond.Therewasn’tanawfullotoftimetosightsee,apartfromwhatwasnaturallyaroundyou.It’sabeautifulvista.I’veneverdoneanythingbeforewhereIhadtomaketheswattingofmidgesincharacter.HowwouldBlakeAbrighton swatawayamidge?Theyaretheresoyoumightaswellmakeavirtueofit.”

Areyouafanofthegreatoutdoors?

“ThelasttimeIwasinatentwasprobablyVFestivalorGlastonburyorsomethinglikethat.I’mnotaversetoit.ButIdon’tjumpatthechancetodoit.Butifsomeonesaidtherewasabigholidaywherewe’dgoupinthehills,I’dbeupforthat.BecauseIlikebeingoutwithnature.

“Ilikethefactit’scoldbutI’mwrappedupwarm.Aspeoplesay,there’snosuchthingasbadweather,justthewrongclothes.Ilovebeingoutwiththeelements,aslongasnothinggetsthroughtotheskin.”

DonGilét interviewcontinued

Episodeone

BeneaththewatersofLochNess,weseethepigmentbleachedbodyofanunidentifiedmiddle-agedman,stonestiedtohisankles.

Onherdayoff,DetectiveSergeantAnnieRedfordiscalleduponbyherbossDCIFrankSmilie toclearupagoryprank,whichreportersareclaiming,withtongueincheek,tobethewashed-upremainsoftheLochNessMonster.Annie,witharaginghangover,headstothelochsidewheretheinexperiencedPCJasonDennyhelpsherclearupthedecayinganimalentrails.AmongtheremainsJasonfindsaheart.

Meanwhile,pianoteacherNiallSwiftissackedbywidowerDrMarr.WhenSwiftaccusesMarrofhypocrisyanargumentensues.ShortlyafterwardsNiallreceivesatextfromsomeonewhowantstomeethimatalocalbeautyspot.Acoupleofhourslaterweseecollegeprincipal,CraigPetrie,infellrunninggear,standingoverSwift’stwisted,broken,bloodybodyasitliesatthefootofacliff.

ThepathologistascertainsthatSwiftwasmurderedandasliverofhisbrainremoved.DCILaurenQuigleyissecondedtothecasetoheaduptheinvestigation.Later,QuigleyisjoinedbyforensicpsychologistBlakeAlbrighton,whomshedraftsin,muchtoSmilie’s ire.

AnnieshowsQuigleythespotwhereSwiftwaskilled.Inagullyshefindsanewspaperfromthedayofthemurder.

Episodesynopses

Episodeonesynopsiscontinued

Theinvestigationisfurthercomplicatedwhentheheartfromthebeachfoundamongtheanimalremainsturnsouttobehuman.Theteenagersresponsiblefortheprank,Jonjo,KieranandAnnie’sdaughterEvie,arebroughtinforquestioningandAnnie,nowcompromised,isoffthecase,causingtensionsathome.

Elsewhere,wemeetKieran’sbrotherJordan,ayoungmanwithlocked-insyndromewhoawakensandbeginstoshowsignsofrecovery.

Episodetwo

Underthecoverofdawn,collegeprincipalCraigPetriethrowsthephonehetookfromNiallSwift’sdeadbodyintoLochNess.

Annieisdisappointedtobeoffthecasebutconsideringthehorrificnatureofit,husbandAlanisrelieved.Annie’smoodisfurtherdentedwhenaplaneticketarrives.Her18-year-olddaughterEvieisgoingtoAustraliaintwoweeks.Annieisn’temotionallyreadytolethergo.

Meanwhile,KenPatterson,ownerofthelocalabattoir,clasheswithhissonJonjoovertheLochNessMonsterstunt.Jonjo takestohisroomandlaterfilmsDrMarrdeliveringasuspiciousbagtooneoftheabattoirworkers.Jonjo sendsthefootagetoEvieandKieran,textingagainlaterthatdaytosayhehasfurtherinformationonDrMarrthatcouldputhiminjail.Jonjo thentossesawayhisbipolarmedication,headsoutandgoesmissing.Wrackedwithworryfortheirson,Kenandhismother,localprobationofficerNicole,reporthimmissingtotheirfriendDCISmilie.

ForensicpsychologistBlakeAlbrightonbelievesiftheyfindtheowneroftheheartitwillleadtothekiller.DCIQuigleymakesquestioningLeightonThomasapriority.Leightonwaspreviouslyconvictedofaseriouscrimeinhisyoungeryears.HemovedtoLochnafoy fouryearsagoonlicence.LeightonhasanalibiforSwift’smurder,AnniebelievesLeightonhasturnedhislifearoundbutQuigleyislessthanconvinced.Leightonstartstoactstrangelyand,couldthismeanhewasinvolvedintherecenttragicevents.

Episodesynopses

Episodetwosynopsiscontinued

Inotherlinesofenquiry,AnnielearnsthatMarrarguedwithSwiftthedayofhisdeath.QuigleyandAlbrighton interviewPetrie.Quigleygoesthroughthestatementhegaveatthestationthepreviousdayandnotesthewoman,whosephoneheusedtocallanambulance,thinksshesawhimbendingoverSwift’sbodyandputsomethinginhisbag.Petrielies,claimingitwashisownphone.

Annie’slocalknowledgeleadshertoagrimdiscoveryandmeanwhilewewitnessBeasecretlysedatingKieran’sbrotherJordan.

OntheirwaytomeetJonjo,EvieandKieranarealmostkilledwhenavehiclerunsthemoffroad.Thedangerinthetownisgrowing.

Quigleyhasabreakthroughwhichhopefullybringstheteamonestepclosertodiscoveringwhothekilleris.

Forfurtherepisodesynopses,pleasecontactjo.blanket@itv.com

DSAnnieRedford LAURAFRASER

DCILaurenQuigley SIOBHANFINNERAN

DCIFrankSmilie JOHNSESSIONS

AlanRedford GRAYO’BRIEN

EvieRedford SHONAMCHUGH

BlakeAlbrighton DONGILÉT

LeightonThomas WILLIAMASH

PCJasonDenny MURRAYFRASER

CraigPetrie ALASTAIRMACKENZIE

KenPatterson MORAYHUNTER

NicolePatterson JENNYRYAN

JonjoPatterson KEIRANGALLACHER

DrSimonMarr JOHNHEFFERNAN

KieranWhitehead JACKBANNON

DessieToner CONORMCCARRY

CrawfordBaxter EUANSTAMPER

IslaMarr CHERRYCAMPBELL

NiallSwift JORDANMCCURRACH

DonMcGrellish GEORGEANTON

AngusinaMcGrellish VICTORIALIDDELLE

BeaWhitehead ANITAVETTESSE

JordanWhitehead OLIVERGREENALL

Mhari Toner SIMONELAHBIB

OliverTench FRASERJAMES

KirstyPetrie SHEREENMARTIN

CastandProduction Credits

ExecutiveProducer TIMHAINES

Writer STEPHENBRADY

Producer ALANJWANDS

Director(Block1) BRIANKELLY

Director(Block2) CILLAWARE

DirectorofPhotography(Block1) DENISCROSSAN

Directorof Photography (Block2) NICMORRIS

ProductionDesigner ANDYHARRIES

CostumeDesigner GILLHORN

MakeUpDesigner STEPHANIESMITH

LocationManager MICHAELHIGSON

SoundRecordist STUARTBRUCE

CastingDirector ORLAO‘CONNOR

Editor(Block1) COLINMONIE

Editor(Block2) JOESAWYER

CastandProduction Credits

End

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