James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Goran Visnjic star in this summer’s blockbuster series The Deep, a new and original thriller for BBC1 set thousands of feet below the Arctic ice.

Simon Donald's five-part drama follows the crew of The Orpheus, an oceanographic submarine, as they search the final frontiers of Earth for unknown and remarkable life forms. The team onboard believe their findings could potentially lead to the next generation of bio-fuels, which could solve the energy crisis.

But before the ecosystem can be fully explored, a series of catastrophic events strikes The Orpheus. Hardly surprising given the environment – crushing pressure, boiling vent gases, freezing temperature gradients and total darkness. This is the deepest, furthest, loneliest place on Earth. The Lomonosov Ridge – an enormous tract of sea-floor – is a disputed territory. Nobody comes here.

However, it soon becomes clear that there’s more than just Mother Nature attacking them. There is someone else out there...

The last team who went – including Clem’s wife – died in mysterious circumstances, so the Orpheus crew are already feeling nervous when a salvage inspector unexpectedly joins their mission. What does he know about the lost crew, and who is he working for?

Stars

James Nesbitt (Occupation, Murphy's Law) stars as Clem Donnelly, alongside Minnie Driver (Circle Of Friends, Good Will Hunting) as Frances Kelly and Goran Visnjic (ER, Welcome To Sarajevo) as Samson Ungliss.

Final frontier of Earth

The thriller's gripping action follows the submarine's crew to the final frontiers of Earth in their quest for unknown and remarkable life forms. Inexplicable circumstances then cause catastrophe to strike.

Stranded with no power, limited oxygen and no communication with the surface our crew reach crisis point. Can they stay alive long enough to uncover the mystery of something they have found themselves at the centre of? This is a global conflict and it is taking place at the furthest reaches of mankind.

High-octane viewing

Greg Brenman, Head of Drama, Tiger Aspect Productions, says: "The Deep offers a breathtaking, high-octane viewing experience, mixing non-stop jeopardy with a thrilling narrative drama from the headlines. It is testament to Simon Donald's gripping and expertly-crafted script that we have attracted such distinguished and prominent names to this series. We are immensely proud and privileged to be working with Minnie, Goran and James."

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, says: "Simon Donald's brilliantly imagined serial The Deep demonstrates my commitment to bringing the best work by the best writers to BBC One and the international talent signed up are further testament to the quality of the scripts."

Filmed at BBC Scotland's Dumbarton Studios in Glasgow, The Deep is written by Simon Donald. The directors are Jim O'Hanlon (Emma) and Colm McCarthy (Murphy's Law), and it is produced by Will Gould for Tiger Aspect.

Greg Brenman is executive producer and, for the BBC, Eleanor Moran. The Deep was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, and Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One.

The Deep is simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC's High Definition channel, available through Freesat 108, Freeview 50, Sky 143 and Virgin 108.

“It keeps the audience guessing - Is this an alien film, an action movie or a political thriller?”

BBC Series - The Deep starring James Nesbitt

and Minnie Driver

Submarine drama below the Arctic ice

Starring James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Goran Visnjic

Photograph of cast members James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Goan Visnjic.

***

Submarine drama that is entertaining but rather unoriginal and clichéd.