THE BBC has revealed more programme details ahead of the launch of its new Scottish TV channel next month.
A raft of new talent will be showcased, as well as some familiar faces, through new documentaries on modern Scotland, dramas and shows based around football and music.
A four-part drama series Guilt will air on the BBC Scotland channel, which goes live on Sunday February 24 at 7pm, starring award-winning actor Mark Bonnar and Game of Thrones’ Jamie Sives.
Written by the award-winning Neil Forsyth and directed by Cleaning Up and Clique’s Robbie McKillop, it sees Bonnar and Sives star as two brothers whose lives are thrown into disarray after they accidentally run over and kill an old man while driving home from a wedding.
Guilt is the first drama commission for the new BBC Scotland channel, where it will premiere before its network transmission on BBC Two.
I’ve been so excited about this for so long and finally I can share.. @mrneilforsyth has written one hell of a story.. can’t wait to get started! X https://t.co/yvx3v4EZ2y
— Mark Bonnar (@mark_bonnar) January 22, 2019
Speaking about the drama, Bonnar said: “I am hugely excited to be a part of Guilt and to be working with Neil again. The moment I read the first scene I was totally hooked.
“Neil has managed to write a captivating and breathless thriller which, even in its darkest, most dramatic moments, maintains a pitch black sense of humour. I don’t want to resort to hyperbole, but it is a total rollercoaster ride!”
Excited to say I’ve written a new show called Guilt. A drama for BBC2/@BBCScotland with @mark_bonnar, Jamie Sives + lots of others, directed by fellow Dundonian Robbie McKillop + produced by the brilliant @HappyTrampLtd + @ExpectationEnt1 More details: https://t.co/qGd4g6fcCr
— Neil Forsyth (@mrneilforsyth) January 22, 2019
Also coming to the new channel is Emeli Sandé’s Street Symphony, which sees the multi-award winning singer-songwriter travel across Scotland to find the nation’s finest untapped musical talent and orchestrate a concert quite unlike any other.
Over four programmes, Sandé sets off from her home town of Alford, near Aberdeen, and heads to Inverness, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh to hand-pick her five favourite street performers.
After honing their acts to perfection, the artists will be joined by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra – and Sandé – to give an inspirational and emotional performance at the City Halls in Glasgow.
Sandé said: “I’m so excited about getting out onto the streets of Scotland to hear first-hand the talent that’s out there. Plucking the talent found on street corners and putting it into a big melting pot with a full-on symphony orchestra is going to be mind-blowing.”
Other highlights:
The Children’s Hospital
An eight-part documentary series about The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
Children of the Devolution
Journalist and broadcaster Allan Little embarks on a journey across Scotland meeting families who include people in their 20s, 40s and 60s to look at how their lives have been shaped by the creation of the Scottish Parliament over the last 20 years.
Inside Central Station
A six-part series about the people behind the busiest railway station in Scotland, Glasgow Central.
Getting Hitched Asian Style
A behind-the-scenes look at Scotland’s biggest Asian wedding planners.
A View From The Terrace
A View From The Terrace will be adapted from the podcast. An hour long topical show celebrating the wonder that is Scottish football. We're excited. Very, very excited. pic.twitter.com/bA1TxPHlrk
— The Terrace (@terracepodcast) January 22, 2019
A weekly show celebrating the wonderful world of Scottish football, adapted from the hit fan-led podcast The Terrace.
The channel will showcase much-loved established comedy talent, (Still Game, Scot Squad) alongside new faces and voices of the comedy circuit (Comedy Underground, The State Of It).
Nightly news hour The Nine and a Question Time-style debate series from Scotland head up the current affairs offering.
Steve Carson, BBC Scotland’s Head of Multi-Platform Commissioning, said: “We’ve been working with more than 70 suppliers across the creative sector to help fulfil our vision for the new BBC Scotland channel – a channel for modern Scotland with quality, compelling content.
“Across the genres – from documentaries, drama, news, sport, comedy and entertainment programmes – BBC Scotland will reflect the lives and interests of Scottish audiences on screen.”
Donald MacKinnon, Director of BBC Scotland, said: “The excitement over the new channel has been building, and by unveiling some of our key programmes today viewers will get a more detailed idea of what they can expect to see.
“Our commissioning team has curated an ambitious and engaging schedule aimed at reflecting Scotland in the 21st century, while satisfying our appetite to see the best of what’s on offer from around the rest of the world.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe