Stephen Graham boards adaptation of The North Water

Stephen Graham boards adaptation of The North Water

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Friday, 8th November 2019
Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham) in The North Water (Credit: BBC/Harpooner Films Limited/Dean Rogers)
Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham) in The North Water (Credit: BBC/Harpooner Films Limited/Dean Rogers)

The Virtues star Stephen Graham, Tom Courtenay (The Aeronauts) and Jack O’Connell (Unbroken) have joined the cast of BBC Two’s adaptation of Ian McGuire’s novel The North Water.

The North Water is set during the late 1850s and follows a disgraced army surgeon, Patrick Sumner (O’Connell), who attempts to flee from his past by joining a whaling expedition in the Arctic.

Led by Captain Brownlee (Graham) and the ship’s owner Baxter (Courtenay), Sumner serves on the Volunteer as the ship’s medic.

Sumner’s quest for redemption takes a brutal turn when he encounters cruel harpooner Henry Drax (Colin Farrell), whose indifference towards killing reflects the harshness of the Arctic wasteland they’re sailing towards.

Also among the cast is Sam Spruell (Outlaw King) who plays the Volunteer’s first mate, Cavendish, Roland Møller (Atomic Blonde) as harpooner, Otto, Kieran Urquhart (Vera) plays Jones, Philip Hill-Pearson (The Bay) as McKendrick and Mum star Peter Mullan, who stars in a pivotal role in the series finale.

“Filming on the ship was an incredible experience and one that I will never forget,” said Graham.

He added: “To be so privileged to see such beautiful animals like polar bears in their natural habitat - albeit it an ever changing one, sadly - was truly remarkable."

The North Water will be produced by See-Saw Films, Rhombus Media and Pioneer Stillking for BBC Two, with production currently taking place in Hungary.


Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell)
(Credit: BBC / Harpooner Films Limited / Dean Rogers)


Henry Drax (Colin Farrell​)
(Credit: BBC / Harpooner Films Limited / Dean Rogers)

 

 

 

 

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The Virtues star Stephen Graham, Tom Courtenay (The Aeronauts) and Jack O’Connell (Unbroken) have joined the cast of BBC Two’s adaptation of Ian McGuire’s novel The North Water.