''Mayday'' is a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

drama thriller television series shown on

BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's flagship network and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, ...

, starring

Sophie Okonedo Sophie Okonedo (born 11 August 1968) is a British actress and narrator. The recipient of a Tony Award, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, three BAFTA Television Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. She began her f ...

Aidan Gillen Aidan Murphy (born 24 April 1968), better known as Aidan Gillen (), is an Irish actor. He is the recipient of three Irish Film & Television Awards and has been nominated for a British Academy Television Award, a British Independent Film Award, ...

Peter Firth Peter Macintosh Firth (born 27 October 1953) is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Sir Harry Pearce in the BBC One programme '' Spooks''; he is the only actor to have appeared in every episode of the programme's ten-series lif ...

, and

Lesley Manville Lesley Ann Manville (born 12 March 1956) is an English actress known for her frequent collaborations with Mike Leigh, appearing in the films '' Grown-Ups'' (1980), '' High Hopes'' (1988), '' Secrets & Lies'' (1996), ''Topsy-Turvy'' (1999), ''A ...

Development and production

The series' commission was announced on 27 April 2012 by the BBC Media Centre. The series was filmed in Dorking, Surrey, making use of street settings including the high street area, Cotmandene (an open grassed area close to the town centre), a kebab shop on the corner of Dene Street and Leith Hill. The old magistrates court was used as the police station and the production was based in Pippbrook House which had housed the town library.

Premise

Thriller series about the sudden disappearance of a 14-year-old girl in a small town with a relatively affluent rural setting and strong pagan traditions. The locals are galvanized to work with the police to find her. Ex-copper Fiona, frustrated with her present life soon becomes involved. Her policeman husband's career is hanging in the balance following an accusation of assault on duty. The stress he is under adjusts his disposition and lends itself to doubts - in his wife's mind - concerning his propriety and morality. It is an investigative drama with a difference - the action is centred on the community figures and not the detectives.

Cast and characters

Leila Mimmack Leila Mimmack (born 5 November 1993) is an English actress. Early life Mimmack was born on 5 November 1993 in Leamington Spa to parents Maddy Kerr and Peter Mimmack, who run the Heartbreak Productions theatre company in Spencer Yard, Leamington. ...

as Hattie, the missing young May Queen, and as, Caitlin, Hattie's more rebellious twin sister who has always felt that she lived in her sister's shadow. *

as Malcolm, a very successful local public figure, proud of his achievements and self-made millions. *

as Fiona, an ex police officer who has left the force to look after her three children. *

as Everett, a funny, irreverent and spontaneous person until his life was destroyed by the tragic death of his wife in suspicious circumstances. *

as Gail, Malcolm's wife who is trapped in an almost loveless marriage. * Peter McDonald as Alan, a tough, no nonsense and strait-laced policeman. * Tom Fisher as Seth, a man with a personality disorder who spends most of his time in the woods. *

Sam Spruell Sam Spruell (born 1 January 1977) is a British actor. He is best known for playing villainous roles in film and television including Oleg Malankov in '' Taken 3'', Finn in '' Snow White and the Huntsman'' and Swarm in '' Doctor Who: Flux''. He a ...

as Steve, who is driven by a strong sense of responsibility and a need to prove himself. *Max Fowler as Linus, an intelligent, funny and assured teenager who also has a darker side.

Episodes

DVD release

The complete series of Mayday was released by Acorn Media UK on 8 April 2013.

References

External links

* * {{Brian Welsh 2010s British drama television series 2013 British television series debuts 2013 British television series endings 2010s British crime television series BBC television dramas 2010s British television miniseries Television shows set in England Television series by Endemol English-language television shows