The new TV comedy drama ‘Zomboat’, billed as ‘Two girls. Two guys. And a boatload of zombies’, is set to rock the city’s waterways .
Zombies are never the fastest of movers on screen at the best of times. So when Zomboat! unleashes a zombie apocalypse in Birmingham and trains aren’t running from New Street Railway Station, and plumes of smoke are rising above the city centre, two sisters and their friends will decide to flee… on a canal narrowboat called Dorothy. However their ‘zo-mo’ adventures by the towpath are going to be a long way from the innocent fun of Ragdoll’s children’s TV characters Rosie & Jim.
But given the time it takes to go through a lock will the towpath zombies catch their prey – and what will be the best weapon of self defence against the undead – a bread knife or rolling pin? With narrowboat engine noises a good way of underpinning a contemporary horror score, producers hope that some Peaky Blinders-style knife violence on the quiet backwaters will make giant waves with viewers across the land.
Lines include ‘If I’m not back in two hours… just wait longer’ or how about: ‘Who made you captain?’ to which Leah Brotherhead’s character Kat replies: ‘The total lack of competition’.
What is Zomboat! about?
The story features sisters Kat and Jo and two travel companions called Sunny and Amar. Jo has just returned from working as a club rep and has decided to move in with her younger sister. She loves computer games,tends to believe in conspiracy theories and receives a message asking if she saw a video of a guy being eaten. So Jo isn’t likely to take her seriously when Kat claims the apocalypse is happening right here, right now… in deepest Birmingham.
Friend Amar is a gym bunny while his oldest friend Sunny doesn’t go a bundle on humanity. Zomboat! will illustrate how friendships, alliances, arguments and romance are all affected by living in packed living quarters. Even a zombie apocalypse can’t change the route of human nature.
Who is in it?
The leading cast members include Leah Brotherhead (White Gold, Boy Meets Girl) as Kat while Hamza Jeetooa (Doctor Who, Our Girl) plays Sunny. Ryan McKen (Temple, Game of Thrones) plays Amar while Wakefield-born blonde Cara Theobold (Downton Abbey) is Jo. Rochenda Sandall (Line of Duty, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) guest stars. The title track ‘Sleep Forever’ is credited to Loup Garoux.
What they are saying about Zomboat!
Zomboat! is a Noho Film & Television production, created by Adam Miller and Will Hartley, written by Adam Miller, Will Hartley and Liz Doran.
Series commissioner Paul Mortimer said: “ITV2 is committed to comedy for younger audiences and we’re delighted to partner with Hulu and Noho Productions to add this fantastically high-concept, home-grown comedy adventure series to our slate.”
Head of acquired series Sasha Breslau added: “Zomboat! is a gorily funny new comedy with a terrific cast. ITV2 is thrilled to be on board the Zomboat! ready to battle the undead.”
Royal Television Society (Midlands) chair Caren Davies, said: “Zomboat! is set in Birmingham so it’s fantastic to hold its premiere here (private event on October 3rd). “The series is brilliantly funny and has a great cast. It promises to be a gory treat for everyone who comes along.”
The series is expected to air from Tuesday, October 8 on ITV2 in six, half-hour episodes, following the regional premiere organised by the Royal Television Society on Thursday, October 3.
Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk
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