Scott & Bailey reunited for four series

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Scott & Bailey reunited for fourth series

New series begins filming in Oldham and Manchester

Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp have returned to their roles as inspiring crime-fighting team, Scott & Bailey.

Filming is underway in Oldham and Manchester for eight new episodes in which their relationship will be sorely tested as both seek the same promotion to Detective Sergeant.

Amelia Bullmore reprises her role as plain-speaking D.C.I. Gill Murray who keeps control of Syndicate 9 and ensures the team delivers in spite of the pressures of modern day policing. Additionally, Amelia (Di and Viv and Rose at the Hampstead Theatre and Craven for BBC Radio 4) will write four of the scripts for the new series. Former Coronation Street actor Lee Warburton will write two episodes with Emily Ballou (American Blackout, Case Histories) writing the remaining episodes.

Suranne, Lesley and Amelia will be joined in this new series by Danny Webb (Locke, Poirot, Lightfields) who takes on the role of family man D.C. Chris Crowley. Danny Miller (Emmerdale) returns to his role as D.S. Rob Waddington.

Produced by RED Production Company, Scott & Bailey has become one of ITV's most enduring and successful returning series. The finale of series 3 in 2013 was watched by an average 7.1 million viewers and delivered a 27% audience share. In fact series 3 saw growth in viewers on the previous series as the share of available audience improved.

Co-creator and writer Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, Unforgiven), will executive produce the new series with Director of RED Production Company Nicola Shindler (Prey, Last Tango in Halifax, The Syndicate), and former Scott & Bailey Producer Tom Sherry (Prey, Murphy's Law). Juliet Charlesworth (All at Sea, Leaving, Hit & Miss) will produce the new series. Simon Delaney (Drifters, Love Matters, Parents) and Noreen Kershaw (Moving On, Coronation Street) will direct the drama.

Scott & Bailey is based on an idea by Suranne Jones and fellow actress Sally Lindsay, who plays Bailey's sister Alison in the drama. Sally will also appear in the new series.

We're thrilled to be producing a new series of Scott & Bailey, said Nicola. It's rewarding to think the public have become so familiar with the characters and taken them to heart. With this new series, we have the chance to explore great story ideas and continue developing those characters, she added.

ITV's Director of Drama, Steve November, Controller of Drama, Victoria Fea and Commissioning Editor Charlie Hampton have commissioned Scott & Bailey. Charlie will also oversee the production on behalf of ITV.

ITV Drama without Scott & Bailey would be unthinkable, said Steve. Its reputation for quality storytelling and great characterisation precedes it and it's become a firm favourite with ITV viewers. We're delighted to be working with Nicola, Sally and RED Production Company on a fourth series.

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/scott-bailey-reunited-fo...
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