“Acclaimed
writer Lynda La Plante,
Queen of primetime British police
drama, produces tough and gritty tales
of gruesome murders that are usually
solved by equally tough policewomen —
and she adds to her successful list
of series with her latest creation, Above
Suspicion...”
ATTRACTING MORE THAN SEVEN MILLION VIEWERS on its first screening, the outstanding
drama Above Suspicion unusually saw an increase in viewing figures for
its second episode. From there it has gone on from strength to strength with
ever-intriguing cases to solve in tightly woven plots.
New kid on the block Detective Anna Travis (Kelly Reilly: Eden Lake and
the forthcoming Guy Ritchie film Sherlock Holmes) joins the team as the
daughter of a retired, respected policeman and, following a very uninspiring
start, she sets out to prove herself — and makes a decision that may put
her into the hands of a murderer.
Loose on the streets is a serial killer who has been slaughtering women and
he has left a trail of gruesome discoveries over the past twelve years that
would make even a rookie draw the conclusion that this man must have a grudge
against women. Most of the women are prostitutes coming up to London to do business,
but the murder of innocent young student Melissa Stephens (Emma Pollard) —
who went missing following an argument with her boyfriend — leaves the
team wondering if there could be another murderer at large.
Anna joins DCI James Langton (Ciarán Hinds: Rome), DI Mike Lewis (Shaun Dingwall)
and the rest of the Metropolitan Police Murder Squad as they sift through a
number of clues and a lead from former bent policeman Barry Southwood (John
Savident), now an invalid living in a Spanish villa which he rents out for cheap
porn films.
And when the name of Lilian Duffy (Deborah Brian) comes up more than once, the
team begin to question her son Anthony — now a good-looking, smooth-talking
internationally-renowned actor called Alan Daniels (Jason Durr) — about
his disturbed background. When Anna agrees to accompany him to the theatre,
it is clear that the over-confident Daniels believes he really is Above Suspicion.
Who owned the light-coloured Mercedes that was close to the scene from where
Melissa disappeared? Could it be the brutal drug dealer John McDowell (Malcolm
Storry), a former boyfriend of dead prostitute Beryl Villiers (Annie Cooper)
and a frequent visitor to Lilians's home in Sharcott Street, who is the real
killer? And did Alan Daniels hate his mother enough to kill her and those who
shared their home? Will his alibi for the night of one of the murders hold up?
Lynda La Plante's hugely impressive track record in British television runs
for the best part of three decades and takes in such notable programmes as Widows,
Trial And Retribution and Prime Suspect. Continuing that successful
run, Above Suspicion will keep you guessing and is absolutely riveting.
Be warned: there is some nudity and gruesome scenes.
Above Suspicion also features: Daniel Caltagirone as DS Paul Barolli;
Michelle Holmes as DC Barbara Maddox; Amanda Lawrence as Joan Faukland; Martin
Herdman as DCI Hudson; Nadia Cameron-Blakey as Commander Jane Leigh; Thusitha
Jayasundera as Veronica Malins; Joe Marsh as DC Hollen; Anneika Rose as DS Jones;
June Watson as Mrs Morgan; Jill Baker as Mrs Kenworth; Sian Webber as Mrs Stephens;
Jack Ryan as Young Anthony; Angus Wright as Michael Parks; Simon Butteriss as
Transvestite Singer; and Lindzi Germain as Kathleen Keegan. Produced by Jolyon
Symonds and Directed by Christopher Menaul.
• Above Suspicion arrives on DVD on
4 January, 2010, courtesy of Acorn Media. RRP: £16.99 | Running Time: 131 Minutes
| Certificate: 18 | Special Features: Three Behind The Scenes Featurettes, including
interviews with the cast and crew.
"Absolutely
riveting. Will
keep you guessing to the bitter end"
— Maggie Woods, MotorBar
"Grips from the outset and never lets go" — Daily Telegraph
"Superb — the best UK police drama in years — the attention to detail
is a throwback to the glory days of Prime Suspect" — The Times
“Acclaimed
writer Lynda La Plante,