ITV Announce Major New Drama Series The Halcyon

"These were our Halcyon years and we'd be lucky if we survived them."

Two of the UK's most acclaimed actors, Steven Mackintosh (Luther, The Sweeney, Inside Men) and Olivia Williams (Anna Karenina, Hyde Park On Hudson, The Sixth Sense) are to join forces in a brand new ITV drama series, The Halcyon, which tells the story of a bustling and glamorous five star hotel at the centre of London society and a world at war.

Produced by award-winning independent production company Left Bank Pictures, filming has commenced on the eight-part drama series which also features Kara Tointon (Mr Selfridge, Sound Of Music Live), Alex Jennings (The Lady In The Van, The Queen), Matt Ryan (Constantine, Arrow), Hermione Corfield (Knights Of The Roundtable: King Arthur, Pride and Prejudice And Zombies) and Mark Benton (Eddie The Eagle, Waterloo Road).

The drama, set in 1940, shows London life through the prism of war and the impact it has on families, politics, relationships and work across every social strata - set to a soundtrack of the music of the era.

Multi award-winning singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum has specially written two songs and top UK recording artist and highly acclaimed singer Beverley Knight will make a special guest appearance in The Halcyon where she will perform at the Café De Paris.

Created by Charlotte Jones (Trust Me) and the lead series writer Jack Lothian (Doc Martin, Harry Price: Ghosthunters), The Halcyon reveals how war permeates everyone's lives from the glamorous guests to its loyal, hard-working staff watched from within by American journalist Joe O'Hara (Matt Ryan).

Further cast includes Sope Dirisu (Humans, Undercover, The Mill), Liz White (The Woman In Black, Pride), Charity Wakefield (Close To The Enemy, Wolf Hall), Annabelle Apsion (Call The Midwife, The Village), Jamie Blackley (If I Stay, The Borgias), Ed Bluemel (Holby City), Nick Brimble (Granchester, War & Peace), Michael Carter (The Illusionist, Casualty), Akshay Kumar (Legends, Homeland), Imogen Waterhouse (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), Nico Rogner (Looking For Simon), Kevin Eldon (Danger Mouse) and Lauren Coe (Camelot), The Halcyon is executive produced by Sharon Hughff (Strike Back, Waterloo Road) and Left Bank Chief Executive Andy Harries (DCI Banks, The Crown) and produced by Chris Croucher (Downton Abbey).

The drama series will film in London and surrounding areas.

itv.com