Riveting three-part thriller Black Work, filmed in Leeds, premiered on ITV on Sunday 21st June at 9pm. Following her critically acclaimed roles in Cilla and Mrs Biggs, Sheridan Smith plays police woman Jo Gillespie whose world is thrown into turmoil when husband Ryan (Kenny Doughty), an undercover policeman, is shot dead in mysterious circumstances. She resolutely sets out to discover who murdered him and has to confront difficult truths about her family life and her marriage to Ryan.
Police officer Jo is a mother to 7-year-old Melly (played by Honor Kneafsey) and stepson Hal, a role taken by Oliver Woollford. Understandably Jo is emotionally distraught and heavily conflicted as she unravels the last few years of her husband’s life. Leaning on his colleague and fellow police officer DC Jack Clark (Matthew McNulty) for support.
Black Work is written by Matt Charman (Our Zoo, Suite Francaise) and is made by Endeavour producers Mammoth Screen for ITV. Screen Yorkshire is investing through the Yorkshire Content Fund. Matthew McNulty, Douglas Henshall, Geraldine James and Phil Davis co-star.
Black Work filmed at locations in West Yorkshire, including; Leeds City Centre, Otley, Castleford, Ilkley, Goole, Morley, Huddersfield, Kirkstall Abbey, Burley, Keighley and Saltaire.
Sheridan Smith in 'Black Work' © Mammoth Screen LTD for ITV
Sheridan Smith is a dream to write for because as an actress there’s really nothing she can’t do. And Black Work is a story that pushes her to the limit – it makes her character Jo Gillespie doubt herself, her family, her friends, everything she’s always taken for granted in her search for her husband’s killer.
Writer Matt Charman shedding light on his inspiration for the drama.
Black Work has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Commissioning Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea.
The Black Work cast also include: Sharon Duce (Coronation Street), Andrew Knott (Spooks: Code 9), Ace Bhatti (Eastenders), Carla Henry (Homefront), Kenny Doughty (Vera), Lisa Dillion (Cranford), Vinette Robinson (Sherlock), and Ben-Ryan Davies (Waterloo Road).
Michael Samuals (Bafta winning Any Human Heart and The Fear) directs; Tom Mullens (New Tricks) produces.
Rebecca Keane and Damien Timmer executive produce the drama for Mammoth Screen.
Mammoth Screen’s shows include Endeavour and Parade’s End for BBC Two, and the upcoming Poldark, Remember Me and And Then There Were None for BBC One, Agatha Raisin for Sky and Opposite Number for Channel 4.