The Red King (TV series)

Last updated

The Red King
GenreCrime drama
Horror
Created by Toby Whithouse
Written byToby Whithouse
Directed byDaniel O'Hara, Lisa Clarke
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Nicola Shindler
  • Toby Whithouse
  • Davina Earl
  • Daniel O'Hara
  • Philippa Collie Cousins
ProducerGuy Hescott
Production company
  • Quay Street Productions
Original release
Network Alibi
Release24 April 2024 (2024-04-24)

The Red King is a 2024 British crime drama television series, which was screened across six episodes from 24 April on Alibi. It was created and written by Toby Whithouse with Daniel O'Hara and Lisa Clarke directing. The Red King stars Anjli Mohindra as Grace, a detective sergeant posted to the fictitious island of St Jory, off the Welsh coast. St Jory is home to the True Way, a pagan cult which was established about 100 years ago by the Nancarrow family. Locals claim it no longer exists but celebrate festivals for the tourist trade. Grace and police constable Owen (James Bamford) investigate the murder of a boy, Cai, despite lack of cooperation from most residents. Main characters are former sergeant Gruffudd (Mark Lewis Jones), pub owner Lowri (Lu Corfield), her daughter Winter (Maeve Courtier-Lilley), doctor and Cai's father Ian (Marc Warren) and Nancarrow descendant Heather (Adjoa Andoh).

Contents

Synopsis

After informing on fellow police officers, Grace is posted as a sergeant to the small Welsh island of St Jory. She stays at the local pub run by Lowri. The local doctor, Ian, asks Grace to solve the case of his missing son, Cai, who disappeared a year earlier. [1] Retired sergeant Gruffudd had concluded Cai had left the island and hence undertook a cursory search. Most locals react negatively when Grace re-opens the investigation with local constable Owen's initially hesitant assistance. She learns that St Jory is home to the True Way, a pagan, folk-based cult, which was established about 100 years earlier. Residents claim the cult died out. Grace finds Cai's corpse in a derelict shelter, but homicide investigators rule it an accidental death before returning to the mainland. Cai's former babysitter Lucy had an affair with Ian. Lowri's daughter Winter supports Grace's investigation.

St Jory becomes isolated by an annual, severe weather storm. Grace obtains an aerial photo of the shelter, from when Cai died, which shows True Way symbolism and Mihangel's car parked nearby. Grace and Owen confront Mihangel, but he suicides. Mihangel's corpse is later desecrated with pagan symbols and reference to a Biblical passage, which local priest Douglas provides. Owen believes it is directed at Grace. Grace begins to suspect Gruffudd, who spurns her questioning. Gruffudd is killed by Douglas after he finds Cai's backpack in the vicarage. Grace and Owen arrest Douglas but True Way's leader, Heather subverts police authority and kidnaps Douglas. Heather and her followers collect adult residents in the town hall to conduct a mock trial of Douglas. She presents the case against him for Cai and Gruffudd's deaths. Grace initially argues against the sham trial, but realises she must defend Douglas from True Way's planned execution. Heather reveals that Douglas is also an alleged paedophile who had been transferred to St Jory after sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl. Heather asks residents to vote for Douglas to be dealt with by True Way or returned to police custody and a legal trial.

Heather lies that the vote is tied and asks Grace to supply the deciding vote: Grace votes for True Way to take Douglas. Lucy's boyfriend, Silas explains to Grace that True Way are planning a sacrifice after their victim's ruination. Winter and Lucy urge Grace to save Douglas' life due to Heather's lies. Grace realises that she herself is the sacrifice, due to her sense of justice ruined during the mock trial. Grace and Owen retrieve Douglas and hide him. With Ian's help, they escape True Way's search party. Grace presents herself to True Way's adherents, while Owen organises other residents to appear at the 200m deep hole on the island. They prevent Grace's sacrifice. Heather had intended to have Grace and Douglas thrown down the hold to their deaths. She had convinced her adherents that this would appease their gods and rejuvenate her body. Ian rushes into the circle grabs Heather and both fall into the hole.

Cast and characters

Production

House in Embleton painted as the John Barleycorn pub Embleton house painted as the John Barleycorn pub.jpg
House in Embleton painted as the John Barleycorn pub

The Red King is written by Toby Whithouse and directed by Daniel O'Hara and Lisa Clarke. The executive producers are Nicola Shindler and Davina Earl for Quay Street Productions, Philippa Collie Cousins for UKTV and writer Whithouse and director Daniel O’Hara. The series is produced by Guy Hescott. [2]

The cast includes Anjli Mohindra, Adjoa Andoh, Marc Warren and Jill Halfpenny, as well as Mark Lewis Jones, Oliver Ryan, Sam Swainsbury, Lu Corfield, James Bamford and Maeve Courtier-Lilley. [3]

The story is set on the fictitious St Jory island off the Welsh coast, but was filmed in Northumberland, and had begun by 19 June 2023. [4] [5] Filming locations included Embleton, Craster, Alnmouth, and Cambois. [6] The Morris dancers featured in the series were from Black Gate Morris. [7]

Broadcast

The series premiered in the United Kingdom on Alibi on 24 April 2024. [8]

Reviews

The Guardian gave it four out of five stars, comparing it favourably with The Wicker Man . They said "The Red King applies entertaining topspin to the road-tested premise, adding yet more rug-pulls and buckets of sarcasm and self-reflexiveness." [9] Carol Midgley in The Times praised the "dry, dark wit" of Whithouse’s script, and said the cast is "high pedigree". [10] Keith Watson in The Daily Telegraph awarded the series four stars out of five and praised the performance of Mohindra who "hits just the right note". [11]

Episode guide

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Episode 1"Daniel O'Hara Toby Whithouse 24 April 2024 (2024-04-24)
Grace shunned by colleagues for reporting fellow officers; she's diverted into side office. Grace sees Matt on balcony; he rambles before jumping off. Month later: Grace enters pub room; declines breakfast from Lowri. During tourist season's last day, Grace sees folk wearing costumes and masks. At police station she introduces herself to Owen. They only work office hours. Owen: Crowther twins are minor disturbers and Heather is most prominent citizen. Tourists leave via ferry for Tenby. Grace meets Ian, who describes Cai's disappearance. Gruffudd decided Cai left on last year's ferry. Ian caught in Mihangel's garage. Owen: island was thoroughly searched. Grace reads Cai's file, peruses ferry CCTV. In pub, Grace asks Gruffudd whether Tenby's CCTV was checked. Lowri advises Grace continue discussion at station. Grace meets Winter. Ian remembers search halted due to annual storms, which often lasts days and isolates islanders. In church, Grace learns about True Way cult established by Nancarrow family. Douglas recalls Cai's biblical quote. Grace halts Crowthers' party; expels underage drinkers. She disables noncompliant Crowthers; Owen cuffs them; later Crowthers are released. Gruffudd rails at Owen, then vilifies Grace. Grace imprisons Gruffudd overnight. Heather says True Way no longer exists. Grace finds Cai's corpse.
2"Episode 2"Daniel O'HaraToby Whithouse1 May 2024 (2024-05-01)
Flashback: Grace consults Joanne, who insults Grace. Present: Grace meets homicide investigators, led by Ann. According to Ann, Cai accidentally locked himself in derelict shelter. Cai's backpack not found. Grace notices large painted stones near shelter. Ann rushes investigation. She assigns Grace to recheck witness statements. Grace to Ian: cannot confirm whether it's Cai. Ann to Ian: might be Cai but not identified yet. Grace chases Mihangel into forest. On her way back, she finds island's deep hole. Police transfer corpse. Ann to Gruffudd: Grace's background. Owen to Grace: Gruffudd spoke to Cai about pestering Lucy. Gruffudd confronts Grace for reporting officers. Winter advises Grace to overlook locals' quirky behaviours. Grace finds beheaded chicken on bed; sleeps in cell. Lowri apologises for dead chicken. Ann's unrepentant for revealing Grace's background. Grace to Ian: Cai identified. Lucy to Grace: Cai had crush. Grace asks Gruffudd whether he falsified Cai's search; he refuses to answer. Pathologist confirms Cai's death was accidental. Grace obtains aerial photos of shelter area. Homicide team leave as storm arrives. Winter brings in Crowthers, who confess to placing dead chicken. Aerial photo: True Way symbol and car near shelter. Grace phones Ann who pretends not to hear.
3"Episode 3"Daniel O'HaraToby Whithouse8 May 2024 (2024-05-08)
Flashback: young Grace consoled by policewoman; Grace's mother has bipolar episode. Present: Douglas encourages Grace to mingle. Grace shows Owen aerial photo of True Way symbol and car. Winter displays annual town hall photos. People missing from last year: Gruffudd, Elan and Lowri. Grace: 2018 photo's missing. Silas to police: True Way still exists; his file's are at home. Silas knocked out. Lucy: Gruffudd maybe attacker; he's pestered her since Bethan left. Bell rings, community sings "Knock on Wood". Gruffudd lies: Minh does not understand English. Gruffudd denies hitting Silas; claims stayed home last year. Douglas plays Cai's birthday video. Grace collect Silas' folder during storm, files stolen by masked person. Gruffudd needles Owen: where did Grace go. Heather faints. Winter wakes Grace. Ian tends Grace's wound. Ian claims affair was consensual: Lucy was 17. Grace arrests Ian for assaulting Silas. Fellow locals support Ian but Lucy reveals affair. Heather claims she's terminally ill. Elan argues with Owen over list of locals not in last photo. Ian and Cai argued over Lucy before Cai left. Grace displays aerial photo. Storm passes; residents take annual photo. Grace reveals True Way related to Cai's death. Lucy, Elan and Mihangel undertake True Way ritual.
4"Episode 4"Daniel O'HaraToby Whithouse15 May 2024 (2024-05-15)
Flashback: Grace visits her mother prior to St Jory posting. Present: Silas withdraws complaint against Ian. Mihangel flails himself as Elan and Lucy arrive. Heather and Douglas confront Grace over her True Way revelations. She rebukes them: cult were involved. Ian identifies Mihangel's car. Grace and Owen visit Mihangel, who collects his shotgun. He points it at police, but he blows his head off. Ian arrives to verify Mihangel's death. Owen informs Elan, who tells fellow residents. People cheer as Grace and Owen return to station. Grace: do not know Mihangel's associates. Minh to Grace: Gruffudd absent during last year's storm. Grace sees Bethal's laptop. Heather and Winter chat about islanders. Ian celebrates Mihangel's death. Gruffudd confronts Grace for unauthorised home search. She counters: where's Bethal? He slams Grace's wardrobe before leaving. Heather to Winter: why steal Silas' folder? Elan and Lucy find Mihangel's defiled corpse in town hall with biblical message. Heather provides Grace with hall keys and Silas' folder. Lowri reveals Winter had folder. Winter: stalled Cai's investigation to keep Grace on island. Owen to Elan: leave island after investigation, as True Way's dangerous. Someone grabs Lucy. Grace: people casting blame on True Way for Mihangel's desecration.
5"Episode 5"Daniel O'HaraToby Whithouse22 May 2024 (2024-05-22)
Flashback: Cooper to Grace: insufficient evidence of bashing alleged rapist. Present: Grace decides to question Lester. Winter volunteers to sneak into Gruffudd's house for Bethan's laptop. Crowther twins pretend to be dead: spook Grace. Lester: lists people who have mortuary keys. Lucy provides Bethan's laptop password. Grace faints and is taken to pub bedroom. Lowri prepares Grace's drink. Heather stops taking medication. Owen distracts Gruffudd; Winter sneaks upstairs. Winter reads Bethan and Cai's emails. Gruffudd refuses to answer Owen's questions. Owen and Winter tell Grace about Bethan's laptop. Grace: they jeopardised investigation. Gruffudd and Minh arrive. Gruffudd: Cai assisted Bethan to leave St Jory; Bethan enrolled at Leeds University. Gruffudd went to pub during last year's storm where Lowri was confined. Dylan informs Grace: attempted boat stealing. Lowri confirms Gruffudd's alibi. Grace checks Dylan's boat. Gruffudd sifts through Grace's evidence. Lucy tells Gruffudd: someone's trapped in church. Grace views last year's ferry CCTV. They see Douglas missed ferry. Gruffudd searches church; finds Cai's backpack. Douglas stabs Gruffudd, who handcuffs himself to Douglas before dying. Douglas saws off Douglas' arm. Owen and Grace find Gruffudd's corpse. Grace arrests Douglas. Heather and islanders confront Grace: they will deal with Douglas.
6"Episode 6"Daniel O'HaraToby Whithouse29 May 2024 (2024-05-29)
True Way adherents grab Douglas. Heather announces trial at town hall. Elan reveals her True Way status. Locals assemble in town hall. Grace represents Douglas. Heather outlines Douglas' actions; mainland trial would see justice thwarted by lawyer's tricks. Grace argues that Douglas should be given opportunity to defend himself: Heather will execute Douglas making islanders complicit. Heather describes Douglas' sexual relationship with 12-year-old girl. Islanders vote regarding Douglas' guilt. Heather lies: votes are equal. Grace casts deciding vote: for death. True Way adherents prepare Douglas. Lucy reveals True Way knew Douglas was child molester. True Way wanted to sacrifice Cai to appease their gods, which would rejuvenate Heather. Grace and Owen liberate Douglas; hide in town hall. Grace discovers Matt was an islander: gave True Way her name. Heather caused Grace's ruination by subverting her belief in lawful process. Lowri to Winter: True Way killed Cai to save Heather. Ian diverts Crowthers' search. Douglas admits to handing Cai to Mihangel. Grace orders Owen to imprison Douglas. Grace submits to True Way. Owen organises remaining islanders to prevent Grace's sacrifice. Ian rushes forward, grabs Heather: both plunge down hole. Six months later: Grace exonerated. Police were infiltrated by Heather's agents.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Wicker Man</i> 1973 film by Robin Hardy

The Wicker Man is a 1973 British folk horror film directed by Robin Hardy and starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt and Christopher Lee. The screenplay is by Anthony Shaffer, inspired by David Pinner's 1967 novel Ritual, and Paul Giovanni composed the film score.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llywelyn ap Gruffudd</span> Prince of Wales 1258–1282

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Llywelyn II, also known as Llywelyn the Last, was Prince of Gwynedd, and later was recognised as the Prince of Wales from 1258 until his death at Cilmeri in 1282. Llywelyn was the son of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn ap Iorwerth and grandson of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, and he was one of the last native and independent princes of Wales before its conquest by Edward I of England and English rule in Wales that followed, until Owain Glyndŵr held the title during the Welsh Revolt of 1400–1415.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Argo</span> American actor (1934–2004)

Victor Argo was an American actor of Puerto Rican descent who usually played the part of a tough bad guy in his movies. He had a career span of forty years. He is best known for Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), Hot Tomorrows (1977), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), King of New York (1990), and McBain (1991).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Percy, 8th Earl of Northumberland</span> English nobleman and conspirator

Henry Percy, 8th Earl of Northumberland, 2nd Baron Percy was an English nobleman and conspirator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claude Akins</span> American actor (1926–1994)

Claude Aubrey Akins was a character actor with a long career on stage, screen, and television. He played Sonny Pruit on the mid 70s tv series "Movin' On" about a trucking team travelling around the country getting into different situations with the locals. Claud also played General Aldo in the 1973 film Battle for the Planet of the Apes. He also did commercials for AAMCO Transmission Centers. He was best known as Sheriff Lobo on the 1979–1981 television series B. J. and the Bear, and later The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, a spin-off series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Armstrong (actor)</span> American actor (1890–1973)

Robert William Armstrong was an American film and television actor noted for playing Carl Denham in the 1933 version of King Kong by RKO Pictures. He delivered the film's famous final line: "It wasn't the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Whithouse</span> English actor, screenwriter and playwright

Toby Lawrence Whithouse is an English actor, screenwriter and playwright. His highest-profile work has been the creation of the BBC Three supernatural television series Being Human. He also created the Channel 4 television comedy-drama series No Angels, the BBC America/BBC Two espionage drama series The Game and has written seven episodes for BBC One's Doctor Who. His work on Doctor Who was primarily for the Doctors played by Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Lewis Jones</span> Welsh actor (born 1964)

Mark Lewis Jones is a Welsh actor, whose roles include that of a First Order Captain Moden Canady in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a police inspector in BBC drama series 55 Degrees North, a whaler in the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, soldier Tecton in Troy and Rob Morgan in the series Stella. He is known for being the voice of Letho of Gulet the King Slayer in The Witcher 2 and 3.

George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus, Lord Douglas, Abernethy and Jedburgh Forest was a Scottish nobleman. He was the son of William Douglas, 2nd Earl of Angus and Margaret Hay of Yester. Known as the Great Earl of Angus. He succeeded to the Earldom following the death of his childless brother James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Angus in 1446. He was to become the first Red Chief of Douglas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Elliott</span> American actor (1917–1999)

Ross Elliott was an American television and film character actor. He began his acting career in the Mercury Theatre, where he performed in The War of the Worlds, Orson Welles' famed radio program.

<i>Being Human</i> (British TV series) British supernatural drama television series

Being Human is a British supernatural comedy-drama television series created and written by Toby Whithouse and first broadcast on BBC Three in 2009. The show blends elements of flatshare comedy and horror drama. The pilot episode starred Andrea Riseborough as Annie Sawyer, Russell Tovey as George Sands, and Guy Flanagan as John Mitchell – all of whom are sharing accommodation and attempting as well as they can to live a "normal" life and blend in with the ordinary humans around them, striving to fit in more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anjli Mohindra</span> English actress (born 1990)

Anjli Mohindra is an English stage, screen and voice-over actress and writer. She is best known for her television roles as Rani Chandra in the Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures (2008–2011) and would-be suicide bomber Nadia Ali in Bodyguard (2018). Her other television roles include Surgeon Lieutenant Tiffany Docherty in Vigil (2021), Detective Constable Josie Chancellor in Dark Heart (2016–2018) and Archie in The Lazarus Project (2022–2023).

<i>Shetland</i> (TV series) BBC Scotland crime drama television series, 2013–

Shetland is a Scottish crime drama television series produced by ITV Studios for BBC Scotland. First broadcast on BBC One on 10 March 2013, it is originally based upon the novels of Ann Cleeves and adapted by David Kane. The first seven series starred Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Pérez, whilst Ashley Jensen stars as DI Ruth Calder from the eighth series. The cast also includes Alison O'Donnell as DS Alison "Tosh" McIntosh and Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, as well as Lewis Howden and Anne Kidd. Henshall won the 2016 BAFTA Scotland award for Best Actor and the series received the award for Best TV Drama.

Coven Celeste was the first official Gardnerian Wiccan coven in Canada, founded in the late 1960s by Heather Botting, then wife of the grandson of Gerald Gardner's London-based High Priestess Lysbeth Turner, Gary Botting. Following Heather's initiation by Turner in 1966, she became a founding priestess of Aquarian Tabernacle Church and later, as a professor of anthropology, became the first Wiccan chaplain to be recognized by an accredited university.

The 1915 Birthday Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of The King, and were published in The London Gazette and in The Times on 3 June 1915.

The 1918 Birthday Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of The King, 3 June and were published in The London Gazette on the same day, followed by a supplement.

<i>Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey</i> 2018 Canadian-American crime drama television film

Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey is a 2018 Canadian-American true crime film, directed by Jim Donovan. The film was released on September 30, 2018, by Lifetime in United States and by Showcase in Canada. On June 4, 2021, it was released worldwide by Netflix. The film stars Katie Douglas, Rossif Sutherland, and David James Elliott. The film recounts the true story of Lisa McVey who was abducted and raped for 26 hours by serial killer Bobby Joe Long in 1984. The movie length is 1 hour and 45 minutes.

<i>Vigil</i> (TV series) British police procedural television serial

Vigil is a British police procedural drama television series created by Tom Edge and produced by World Productions. The series premiered on BBC One on 29 August 2021. The first series stars Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans, Paterson Joseph, Gary Lewis and Martin Compston, and is set in Scotland, primarily onboard HMS Vigil, a ballistic missile submarine of the Royal Navy.

<i>On a Wing and a Prayer</i> (film) 2023 film by Sean McNamara

On a Wing and a Prayer is a 2023 American biographical survival film directed by Sean McNamara and starring Dennis Quaid, Heather Graham, and Jesse Metcalfe. It was released on April 7, 2023.

References

  1. Cormack, Morgan (15 April 2024). "The Red King: Release date, trailer and latest news for Alibi drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  2. "Original drama The Red King films for UKTV". The Knowledge Online. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  3. Hodgson, Barbara (22 June 2023). "Filming under way in North East on new crime drama The Red King". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  4. Buchan, Craig (16 November 2023). "First images released of Alibi crime and horror series The Red King that was filmed in Craster". Northumberland Gazette. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  5. "New original drama The Red King, supported by the North East Production Fund begins filming in the North East". Investnortheastengland. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  6. Buchan, Craig (16 April 2024). "The Red King stars praise 'beautiful' Northumberland filming locations ahead of Alibi crime and horror drama's air date". Northumberland Gazette. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  7. Christian, James Merryclough, Mossy (24 April 2024). "Who are the Morris Dancers in The Red King?". Tradfolk. Retrieved 28 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. Duke, Simon (15 April 2024). "Jill Halfpenny's The Red King gets start date as fans set to be hooked on Northumberland thriller. Many fans are already making predictions for future events in the series. What's yours?". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  9. "The Red King review – like a wickedly playful new spin on The Wicker Man". The Guardian. 24 April 2024.
  10. "The Red King review — a cold case drama with added Wicker Man". The Times. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  11. "The Red King, review: offbeat cop drama combines Midsomer Murders with The Wicker Man". The Daily Telegraph. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.