Production has commenced on Channel 4's upcoming period drama Army of Shadows, a six-episode series inspired by Jean-Pierre Melville's 1969 film and Joseph Kessel's landmark novel. Filming is taking place across Liverpool, Manchester, London, and Paris.
Cast and Crew
The series features a stellar cast, including Rivals star Alex Hassell, Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington, and Black Doves actress Lisa Gunning. BAFTA-winning performer Paddy Considine, known for House of the Dragon and MobLand, and Golden Globe recipient America Ferrera also join the ensemble. The series is created by Ronan Bennett.
Plot Overview
Army of Shadows chronicles the emergence of resistance in an occupied Britain during World War II. A synopsis states: "Britain looks almost normal, but the flags are different, the news is careful, and nobody says certain things out loud anymore. But everyone can feel it. Somewhere beneath the surface of ordinary life, something has gone terribly, quietly wrong."
The story follows a former soldier known only as Berry, who begins building a secret resistance network. He knows one thing above all else: don't act before you're ready. An improbable collective—comprising a soldier, student, journalist, and radiographer—gradually assembles around him as they conclude they can no longer remain passive observers.
Themes and Tone
The synopsis continues: "Ordinary people, with ordinary lives, making an extraordinary and irreversible choice. Against them: a state with unlimited reach, a ruthless minister who'll do whatever it takes to maintain 'order', and an American intelligence operative called Jessie, who is very, very good at her job." The series is described as "a tense, propulsive thriller about what resistance actually costs."
Channel 4's Enthusiasm
Gwawr Lloyd, Channel 4's Interim Head of Drama, expressed excitement about the project, saying: "Ronan Bennett has created a gripping, provocative and action-packed drama that feels both epic in scale and strikingly relevant. Army of Shadows asks powerful questions about freedom, resistance and the choices people make when democracy is under threat. With a stellar cast lined up under the direction of Lisa Gunning, this is exactly the kind of thought-provoking and high-stakes drama that Channel 4 looks to bring to our viewers."
Future Announcements
Channel 4 has confirmed that further details on the air date will follow in due course. The series is produced in partnership with STUDIOCANAL and Two Cities Television.
