L ightfields press pack

 Lightfields press pack Lightfields is a compelling supernatural drama set on a remote farm on the Suffolk coast. The story follows three families that each lived in Lightfields farmhouse at different time periods (1944, 1975 and 2012) but who are linked by a spine-­‐chilling presence: the ghost of a teenage girl who died in mysterious and tragic circumstances. Dakota Blue Richards (The Golden Compass, Skins), Sam Hazeldine (Bridget Jones, The Raven), Jill Halfpenny (Eastenders, Waterloo Rd), Kris Marshall (Love Actually, My Family), Danny Miller (Emmerdale), Antonia Clarke (Skins, A Mother’s Son), Lucy Cohu (Gosford Park), Danny Webb (Life Begins), Neil Jackson (Upstairs Downstairs), Karla Crome (Misfits) and Sophie Thompson (Four Weddings and a Funeral) all join the cast. Lightfields is a brand new story and original script from writer Simon Tyrrell (She’s Gone, The Vice) following on from the hugely successful drama Marchlands which debuted on ITV in 2011 and secured a place in the top ten most watched dramas on television across all channels that year. Like Marchlands, Lightfields has been ITV plc Registered Office: The London Television Centre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9LT Registered Number: 4967001, England 1.
developed from an original US pilot called ‘The Oaks’ created by David Schulner for Twentieth Century Fox Television. The five-­‐part drama, commissioned by ITV and produced by ITV Studios, opens in 1944, in wartime Britain, where we meet fresh young teenager, Lucy Felwood (Antonia Clarke), who lives and works on the farm with her 9 year old brother, Pip Felwood (Larry Mills), and parents, Martha Felwood (Jill Halfpenny) and Albert Felwood (Sam Hazeldine). When worldly teenager, Eve (Dakota Blue Richards) arrives as an evacuee from London with her little sister, she and Lucy become friends. Although her parents have their eye on a bright and ambitious local boy for their daughter, Lucy’s head is soon turned by Eve's beau – dashing, dangerous American airman Dwight (Neil Jackson). As Lucy is increasingly drawn to Dwight, her childhood friend, Tom (Danny Miller), can only watch jealously from the side-­‐lines. One fateful summer evening, a fire rips through the hay barn and a family and local community are torn apart by grief. The events of that night hold the key to a mystery that will haunt generations to come… In the scorching summer of 1975, Vivien (Lucy Cohu) arrives at Lightfields with her teenage daughter, Clare (Karla Crome). Fragile and estranged from her husband, Vivien does not initially understand why she has been drawn to the farmhouse. She has no memory of it though she was evacuated to the area during the war. But over time disturbing supernatural events force her to confront the childhood trauma that is at the root of her troubled mind…. In 2012, Barry (Danny Webb) and his wife, Lorna (Sophie Thompson) have recently moved in and are trying to set the farmhouse up as a Bed & Breakfast whilst also trying to raise their 8 year old grandson, Luke. When Barry’s 77 year old father (Pip from 1944) arrives to live with them, he strikes up an understanding with Luke. It seems momentarily as if Barry’s worries are over, but Pip’s presence serves to disturb the restless spirit in the house which seems intent on unravelling and unlocking the past…The pressure builds when out of the blue, the boy’s estranged father, Paul (Kris Marshall), turns up demanding full custody of their 8 year old son, Luke, at any cost. If Barry takes his eye off the ball, even for a moment, the consequences for Luke could be fatal…. Ultimately, there is the chance for resolution for all of the characters in Lightfields, the living as well as the dead. The story culminates in 2012, when an elderly visitor to the B&B finally reveals the truth behind that fateful night in 1944... Cherry Gould (Above Suspicion: Silent Scream) will produce Lightfields and ITV Studios’ Kate Lewis (Mr Selfridge, Marchlands) will executive produce. The 5 x 60 minute episodes will be directed by Damon Thomas (Prisoners’ Wives, Monroe) and filming begins in August in Hertfordshire and West Sussex 1.
“Simon Tyrrell has found a bold and authored way to approach the format that inspired Marchlands for us last year,” said executive producer, Kate Lewis. “The scripts are incredibly atmospheric and there’s great complexity to the characters as they interweave across the decades,” she added. Lightfields has been commissioned for ITV1 by drama commissioning team, Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes. “We’re delighted to build on the success of Marchlands with another highly original take on the format. It’s a very distinctive addition to our slate.” Episode one: 1944 – The harvest is looming and the Felwood family are hard at work on the farm when 19 year-­‐old Eve arrives. She has been evacuated from London and wants to help out and do her bit for the war effort. A friendship blossoms between Lucy Felwood and Eve but this is put in jeopardy when Dwight, a dashing American airman, comes into their lives. It is Eve who meets him first but then a chance meeting between him and Lucy triggers lies and deceptions between the two girls. Then, one fateful night, the hay barn catches fire. The fire rages and it is too late when they realise that there is someone in the barn. 1975 – Lightfields has stood empty for many years when Vivien and her teenage daughter Clare arrive from London to stay for the summer. Vivien stayed in the area when she was evacuated there during the war but struggles to remember anything about that time. As they settle into their holiday Vivien’s distant behaviour starts to concern her daughter. Unbeknown to Clare something has started to stir in Vivien’s memory since their arrival at the farm, something unsettling. But that is not all; their arrival has triggered something else, something has woken in the house. The two women are not alone. 2012 – A new generation of Felwoods have recently bought Lightfields. Barry and Lorna live there with their grandson, Luke, and Barry’s elderly and infirm father, Pip, has just moved in. Pip lived at Lightfields when he was a boy and this is the first time he has returned. He is disturbed to be back after all these years and won’t talk about his childhood on the farm. Pip knows his return has awakened something in the house but he refuses to acknowledge it. What he doesn’t know is that there is someone else who is only too willing to see and communicate with this ghostly presence; his great grandson Luke. Cast Quotes 1944 Danny Miller Q -­‐ Tell us about your character I play Tom who is a young farm hand at the Felwoods farm "Lightfields". He’s a life long friend of the family who has always grown up with a twinkle in his eye for Lucy. 1.
He's non-­‐educated and because of this he doesn't have the greatest of confidence when it comes to everyday life such as interacting with people. Consequently he’s quite a nervous lad but has the best intentions at heart. His childhood crush is Lucy and the decisions he makes throughout the story are all based around his secret love for Lucy. Q -­‐ Are you superstitious? I myself can be superstitious. Sometimes if I've won a football match that I played well in, I'll then wear the same boots, but that's probably as crazy as it gets! Q -­‐ Any tales from filming? Whilst filming I ad-­‐libbed a scream with a "NOOOO!!!" it couldn't have been in anymore of a northern accent, everyone had a little giggle and we did another take. Somehow I don't think a northern lad would be in the middle of Suffolk in the World War with a job on a farm -­‐ so I had to side with the director when he asked for another take! Q -­‐ In 3 words describe Lightfields to viewers Dark. Gripping. Moving. Dakota Blue Richards Q -­‐ Tell us about your character My characters name is Eve. She is different to the other characters since she comes from London. She sees country life as being quite quaint and has an air of superiority. Despite this she is a good friend and warm hearted. She is curious by nature, as well as inquisitive and determined, and takes on an investigative role following the events of the opening episode. Q -­‐ Are you superstitious? I don't think of myself as a particularly superstitious person, although I will admit to checking myself after walking over three drains or under ladders. However, I do believe that we are sometimes greatly affected by those who are no longer with us, and we can choose to interpret this in many ways. Q -­‐ Any tales from filming? I had a lot of fun filming Lightfields. I think my fondest memory of the shoot, albeit not a very happy one, was shooting the scene in the ruins of the burnt hay barn with Sam Hazeldine. I think Sam is a very talented actor, and his performance, along with the striking scenery, made me really proud of what we were creating; hopefully something that people can relate to, that will both captivate and inspire them. 1.
Q -­‐ In 3 words describe Lightfields to viewers The three words that best describe the central theme of the show are ACCEPTANCE, RESPONSIBILITY and, although its a phrase not a word, STRENGTH IN UNITY. Antonia Clarke Tell us about your character: I play Lucy, who is initially seen as an immature and seemingly innocent young girl in 1944, though this quickly changes after she meets worldly teenage Eve. Q -­‐ Are you superstitious? No, not really. Though I do I wear odd socks for luck sometimes. Q -­‐ Any tales from filming? Since Lucy comes back as a ghost for some episodes, half way through the shoot the crew decided to call me Casper. Our line producer Simon took it a step further and pretended he couldn't see me half the time! Another day Dakota fell off a bucket straight into a carrot patch during a take which is always fun. Q -­‐ In 3 words describe Lightfields to viewers A ghostly family drama! Jill Halfpenny Q -­‐ Tell us about your character My character is called Martha and she’s a farmer’s wife who is strong, caring and absolutely dotes on her family. Q -­‐ Are you superstitious? No, I think it's a rocky road to go down and I'm an all or nothing person Q -­‐ Any tales from filming? There was a day where we filmed a scene outside in the garden and we were all having a meal, the sun was shining, the gramophone was playing and for a tiny moment I think we were all transported to the 1940s and it all felt so romantic. 1.
Q -­‐ In 3 words describe Lightfields to viewers Atmospheric, chilling and intriguing. Sam Hazeldine Q – Tell us about your character? I play Albert Felwood and he’s the tenant farmer of Lightfields Farm, husband to Martha and father of Lucy and Pip. Albert is a kind, hardworking man and a loving husband and father, although his relationship with his teenage daughter Lucy is becoming difficult as she approaches womanhood. The arrival of evacuee Eve, from London, further increases this strain, and Albert's loss of control over his little girl is just the beginning of his tragic downward spiral. Q – Are you superstitious? I am not superstitious at all. Q – Tell us in 3 words about Lightfields? Lightfields is about family, grief and redemption. 1975 Karla Crome Q -­‐ Tell us about your character Clare has come to Lightfields in her summer holidays with her mother, Vivien. She's pretty much an ordinary 17-­‐year-­‐old girl in the mid 70's. She's initially a bit underwhelmed by the quaint village life but soon becomes intrigued by the mysterious history of the house. Q -­‐ Are you superstitious? Not really. Although in saying that, I don't like walking under ladders and I avoid crossing people on the stairs. Q -­‐ In 3 words describe Lightfields to viewers Spooky, tense and pacy. 2012 1.
Sophie Thompson Q – Tell us about your character? There's something very unsentimental about Lorna, which I really like. She's got a sense of humour which I really admire. She and Barry have been through the loss of their daughter and I think the strength and ease of their relationship, forged in such a heat is very particular and adds to their fierce protectiveness of their darling Luke. Q – Are you superstitious? I am a bit superstitious I think, but I sort of try not to be as I used to spend far too long chatting to magpies! It's really mainly the theatre one pertaining to a certain Shakespeare play I'm still a bit touchy about! But that's probably got more to do with my love of theatre traditions than superstition! Q – How was filming? The set on Lightfields had such an easy going atmosphere. The cast and crew felt very collaborative, and there was a lot of humour to leaven the long days...that doesn't always happen and I think it comes from the director fundamentally. Q – Describe Lightfields to viewers? Corking spooky five-­‐parter Press contacts: Press – gary.smith@itv.com Pictures – Patrick.smith@itv.com