Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes to Star in BBC 2's 'Page 8'

LONDON – Rachel Weisz, Bill Nighy, Judy Davis, Ralph Fiennes and Michael Gambon will star in Page 8, a lavish new TV spy drama for BBC 2 that will air later this year. 

Scripted by Oscar-nominee David Hare, Page 8 will be the playwright’s first original screenplay in 20 years, and will be produced by Harry Potter production alumni David Heyman and David Barron.

Filming begins later this month with Nighy playing Johnny Worricker, a long-serving M15 officer who has to leave his job and his identity behind when he begins to question the death of his boss and best friend, Benedict Baron, played by Gambon. But not before a seemingly chance encounter with his beautiful neighbour, played by Weisz, leads to yet more complications.

The story explores the challenges and betrayals faced by the British Intelligence Community, said Hare, whose screenplays for The Reader and The Hours have earned him Oscar nominations.

“The last decade has been as testing as any in the history of the British intelligence community – the compromises and dilemmas they've faced in the new century make a fascinating story,” he added.

The film is a co-production between Carnival Films, Heyday Films and Runaway Fridge and with Gareth Neame (Carnival), Christine Langan (BBC Films), Scott Rudin and Nighy listed as executive producers.

NBCU Universal will handle international distribution.

I'm thrilled to be working with such an extraordinary ensemble of great actors,” he added.”

The contemporary drama was commissioned by BBC 2 Controller Janice Hadlow and Ben Stephenson, the BBC’s head of drama commissioning.