Sky has today revealed a first look trailer for thrilling new Sky Original drama The Midwich Cuckoos, a dark modern-day reimagining of John Wyndham’s classic science fiction novel of the same name. BAFTA-nominated Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard, It’s A Sin), and Max Beesley (The Outsider, Suits) lead this unnerving fable.
Watch the tantalising trailer for the series in the player below:
Midwich, a small English commuter town, is liberal and aspirational, populated by nuclear families and affluent streets. A place where nothing much happens – that is until the twilight hours of a summer’s day when a sleepy corner of Midwich is plunged into panic. People pass out on their feet without warning, without reason. Anyone who tries to enter meets the same fate. And nobody can understand why. When the mysterious blackout is lifted, life for those affected returns to apparent normality – except every woman of child-bearing age inside the zone has suddenly and inexplicably fallen pregnant.
As news spreads and tensions simmer, it is up to gifted psychotherapist Dr Susannah Zellaby (Hawes) to help support those affected through the emotional wilderness. Susannah’s own daughter, Cassie (Synnøve Karlsen), has fallen pregnant and harbours deep concerns about who, or what, is behind this phenomenon.
Local officer DCI Paul Haynes (Beesley) is tasked with maintaining order but unbeknownst to them all, a terrifying force is building in the comfortable streets of Midwich. These children – potential parasites – flourish under the very love and care that their families give them. Who are these children? And what do they want?
The Midwich Cuckoos is an unnerving fable for our turbulent times, a thrilling, strange and at times horrifying journey into parenthood, which lays bare any parent’s worst fear: that the thing most precious to us – a child – might desire our destruction.
The series also stars Cherrelle Skeete (Hanna), Samuel West (All Creatures Great and Small), Aisling Loftus (A Discovery of Witches), Ukweli Roach(Blindspot), Lara Rossi (Robin Hood), Lewis Reeves (I May Destroy You), Rebekah Staton (Raised by Wolves) and Anneika Rose (Line of Duty).
The Midwich Cuckoos has been adapted for the screen by Emmy award-nominated writer David Farr (The Night Manager, Hanna). The seven-part series is produced by Route 24 (backed by ITV Studios) and Snowed-In Productions, in association with Sky Studios.
The Midwich Cuckoos was commissioned for Sky by Zai Bennett, Sky UK’s Managing Director of Content. Manpreet Dosanjh is the Commissioning Editor for Sky Studios. The series is written by David Farr, Sasha Hails, Namsi Khan and Laura Lomas. Alice Troughton (Baghdad Central, Cucumber, A Discovery of Witches) is the lead director, with Jennifer Perrott (Gentleman Jack, Doctor Who) and Börkur Sigthorsson (Trapped) serving as directors. The executive producers are Marc Samuelson and Robert Cheek for Route 24 and Ruth Kenley-Letts and Neil Blair for Snowed-In Productions. Series producer is Eliza Mellor (Poldark, Behind Her Eyes).
Brand New in 2022, The Midwich Cuckoos is coming soon to Sky Max and NOW.
