NEW CRIME DRAMA
in the dark
Tuesday, BBC1 Hd, 9pm
MYANNA BURING sits in her trailer wrapped in a large towel as water drips from her hair. She’s been filming a scene in the driving rain and is soaked to the skin, but her enthusiasm for chilling new crime thriller In the
Dark has clearly not been dampened.
In the four-part series, adapted from the best-selling novels by Mark Billingham, the
Ripper Street star plays troubled Manchester detective Helen Weeks. It’s the 37-year-old actress’s first leading role in a major drama, and she couldn’t be more delighted.
‘Helen is so mercurial,’ says Buring as she dries off. ‘That made her feel very real to me. Helen’s tough, yet also vulnerable and you never quite know the full story. It felt like a chance to play something I could get my teeth into and believe.’
We’re soon joined by Buring’s co-star, Ben Batt, who plays Helen’s boyfriend and fellow detective, Paul Hopkins, and together the show’s stars tell us more about the drama…
HOW DOES THE DRAMA BEGIN?
BURING Helen is a successful detective who comes from a small town in Warwickshire called Polesford. She left 20 years ago to make a name for herself in Manchester and she’s never returned. Her mother died when she was young and returning has always seemed too painful.
Then suddenly Polesford is splashed all over the news when two young girls disappear.
BATT The man who’s been arrested in connection with the disappearance is the husband of Helen’s school friend, Linda [Emma Fryer]. She finds herself at the centre of this media storm, so Helen returns to try to help her.
IS HELEN ASSIGNED TO THE CASE?
BURING No, she’s just there to support her friend. But like any good detective, she can’t help getting involved, which doesn’t impress DI Tim Cornish [Ashley Walters], who’s leading the investigation.
DOES PAUL ACCOMPANY HELEN BACK HOME TO POLESFORD?
BATT In the opening scenes, we find out that Helen is pregnant, so Paul won’t let her out of his sight. He knows how difficult it is for Helen to return to her hometown, so he comes along to offer support.
BURING As the series goes on, we start to realise why Helen has never returned home before – and it’s got nothing to do with the death of her mother.
WHAT CAN YOU REVEAL?
BATT Helen and Linda have been keeping a terrible secret for decades and it becomes more and more difficult for them to conceal it. Paul starts to notice a change in Helen and, very slowly, he begins to ask questions.
THE SERIES IS DIVIDED INTO TWO STORIES. ARE THEY RELATED?
BATT The first story is set in Polesford, then we follow Helen and Paul back to Manchester, but Helen connects everything.
DO YOU THINK FANS OF THE NOVELS WILL ENJOY THIS ADAPTATION?
BURING I read all the books after getting the part of Helen and loved them. The show’s writer, Danny Brocklehurst, has swapped a few of the stories around and Mark has been great with that. He knows that certain things have to evolve so they work on screen and he just wants the best story to be told.