Hugh Skinner, Rossy De Palma, Nina Sosanya and Jean-Marc Barr join the cast of Little Birds as filming commences on the Sky original production

Sky Atlantic’s Little Birds has added Hugh Skinner, Rossy De Palma, Nina Sosanya and Jean Marc-Barr to its stellar cast, joining Juno Temple, Yumna Marwan and Raphael Acloque in the gripping and sensual new drama series, produced by Warp Films.

The bold and evocative six-part original series, written by Sophia Al-Maria (The Girl Who Fell to Earth) and directed by Stacie Passon (Billions, House of Cards), commenced filming in Tarifa in Spain last week before production moves to Manchester from May. The series will air on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW TV in 2020.

Little Birds is set in Tangier in 1955, in the famous ‘international zone’ - one of the last outposts of colonial decadence, and a culture shock in more ways than one for troubled American debutante Lucy Savage, played by BAFTA-winning Juno Temple (Dirty John, Atonement, Killer Joe, Maleficent 1&2). Lucy desires an unconventional life free from the society cage she’s been kept in and, along with Tangier itself, finds herself on the cusp of achieving a painful yet necessary independence.

Playfully inspired by Anais Nin’s infamous collection of erotic short stories, Little Birds weaves stories of love and desire together with personal drama and political intrigue, set against a uniquely distinctive backdrop of hedonism and conflict.

Hugh Skinner (Fleabag, W1A) plays Hugo Cavendish-Smyth, an aristocratic English Lord set to marry American heiress Lucy but whose heart lies elsewhere. A complex and heart-breaking character, Hugo is often torn between his unpredictable fiancée and his lover Adham Abaza, a dashing Anglo-Egyptian played by Raphael Acloque (24: Legacy, The Secret Agent). Stylish, smart and witty, Adham is the most eligible man in Tangier.

Yumna Marwan (Shankaboot) will play Cherifa Lamour, a unique Moroccan dominatrix who services the diplomats and foreigners of this colourful, bohemian world. Mercurial, passionate and determined, Cherifa’s journey entwines the personal with the political as she attempts to change the world around her with her strength and resilience. Her presence enraptures Secretary Pierre Vaney, played by Jean-Marc Barr (The Cellar, Cut Off), who is desperately in love with her.

Iconic Spanish star Rossy De Palma (Broken Embraces, Julieta) embodies the charming, witty and larger than life Contessa Mandrax, the beating social heart of the colony.  Nina Sosanya (Marcella, Last Tango in Halifax, Killing Eve 2) will play the glamorous actress Lili Von X, who encourages Lucy to live her life her way.

Little Birds joins a raft of recent commissions demonstrating Sky’s continued investment in original content and commitment to supporting the creative industry. It comes off the back of a record 16 BAFTA nominations for Sky content announced last week. Forthcoming original dramas set to air on Sky in 2019 include Catherine The Great, Chernobyl, Temple and Riviera season 2.

Little Birds is produced by Warp Films. Executive producers are Ruth McCance, Peter Carlton, Mark Herbert and Kara Manley. The new 6x60 minute drama has been commissioned for Sky by director of drama Cameron Roach and director of programmes for Sky entertainment UK & Ireland Zai Bennett, and is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment. The series will also air on Sky in Spain.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

Sky

Katy Sykes

Katy.sykes@premiercomms.com

T +44 207 292 8351

M +44 7718 236 827

SJ Peyton

SJ.peyton@premiercomms.com

T+44 207 292 7377

M +44 7808 640 175

Notes to editors

About Sky

Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company, serving 23 million customers across seven countries - UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. The company had annual reported revenues of £12.9 billion in 2016/17, and is Europe’s leading investor in television content with an annual programming spend of around £7 billion.

From exclusive partnerships with HBO, Showtime and Warner Bros. to Sky Original Productions, Sky offers the best and broadest range of content along with the best viewing experience to suit each and every customer. Whether that’s through the multi-award winning next generation box, Sky Q, or Sky’s contract-free online streaming service, NOW TV, customers have access to the latest movies, drama, sports and kids entertainment wherever and whenever they like. This is all supported by Sky’s best in class customer service.

Sky’s success is not just based on what the company does but how it does it. Three new major commitments have been launched for Sky’s corporate campaign Sky Ocean Rescue; the reduction of our own single-use plastics by 2020; an investment fund of £25 million over five years in technology solutions; and support of marine protected areas across our markets.

Sky has over 31,000 employees and is listed as one of The Times Top 50 employers for women, as well as being  recognised in the Stonewall list of Top 50 LGBT-inclusive employers. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

About Warp Films

Established in 2002, Warp Films is one of the most exciting and respected production companies in the UK today. 

Known for their multi award-winning film and television, Warp Films are committed to collaborating with and supporting top creative talent in the UK and abroad; and launched the feature debuts of directors such as Paul King, Chris Morris, Yann Demange and Paddy Considine. From award-winning feature films Submarine, Four Lions and ’71, to multi BAFTA-winning returning TV series This Is England, international drama The Last Panthers and critically-acclaimed Southcliffe; Warp’s mission is to provide a distinctive window on the world, and tell stories that may be funny or serious, mainstream or controversial, but always with heart.

Recent productions include feature film Ghost Stories by writer-directors Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman; and Idris Elba’s directorial debut Yardie. Warp’s international ambitions are supported by ITV Global, and by friends and collaborators from around the world.

Our current slate has a range of ambitious sci-fi, controversial emotional drama, heist thrillers, literary adaptations, historical mysteries and much more. Upcoming productions include Everybody’s Talking About Jamie a feature adaptation of the hit musical in collaboration with Film4 and New Regency; Little Birds a period drama series inspired by the writings of Anaïs Nin for Sky Atlantic; and The Virtues an original series from writer-director Shane Meadows and co-writer Jack Thorne for Channel 4.

About ITV Studios Global Entertainment 

ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) is one of the world’s leading international TV distribution, home entertainment, publishing, merchandising and licensing businesses. ITVS GE distributes more than 45,000 hours of celebrated content across all genres from both its in-house production business, ITV Studios, and in collaboration with leading producers from around the world.

Part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, ITV Studios Global Entertainment has offices in London, Hong Kong, Paris, Germany, Nordics, Los Angeles and Sydney.