NEIL MORRISSEY, JAMES BUCKLEY, AND FAY RIPLEY LEAD CAST FOR NEW CHANNEL 5 THRILLER THE HOARD, FROM SEVEN SEAS FILMS

London, 27th April 2023: Channel 5 today has announced the commission of The Hoard (4 x 60”), a primetime thriller starring Neil Morrissey (Line of Duty, Unforgotten), James Buckley (The Inbetweeners, White Gold) and Fay Ripley (Cold Feet, Suspects). The series will be produced by Seven Seas Films, in association with Quay Street Productions and ITV Studios and will begin filming in the UK this month.   

 The Hoard is the story of keen detectorist Martin (Morrissey) and his wheeler dealer soon to be son-in-law Ashley (Buckley) who, while on a boys bonding trip in the idyllic fields of rural Somerset, discover a hoard of buried Saxon treasure worth millions. Legally, they should declare it, but Ashley spots an opportunity to look after number one, and as pressures are building at home with his wife Anne (Ripley), straight arrow Martin can’t help but have his head turned. It’s tempting. If they sell it on the black market, they could be set for life and Ashley has the connections to make it happen. But with a hoard this good, could it really be that easy? After all, they might not be the only ones out for its spoils. 

  Ordered for Channel 5 by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 & Paramount+, The Hoard will be directed by Philip John (Outlander, Good Karma Hospital, Iron Fist) and written by Dan Sefton (Good Karma Hospital, The Mallorca Files, Trust Me), who is also Executive Producer for Seven Seas Films. Seven Seas Films also sees Simon Lupton as Series Producer and Barry Read as Line Producer. Nicola Shindler and Davina Earl are Executive Producers for Quay Street Productions.       

 On joining the cast of The Hoard, Neil Morrissey says “I’m delighted to be joining this project alongside the wonderful James Buckley and Fay Ripley. Martin is a character that most people will relate to, he’s a normal guy with a relatively happy life. But when he’s suddenly presented with this opportunity of a lifetime, there’s no telling what he might be capable of. I can’t wait to explore just how far he’s willing to go.”   

 James Buckley continues “I’m so excited to start filming The Hoard with this great cast and crew. Ashley is a guy who’s confident in his convictions, despite some questionable morals, but I have a feeling he might have bitten off more than he can chew with this one.”   

 Paul Testar comments “We are thrilled to be working with the talented teams at Seven Seas Films, Quay Street Productions, and ITV Studios to bring this unique thriller to Channel 5 audiences. I can’t wait to see this brilliant cast on our screens.”   

 Simon Lupton adds “Seven Seas Films is delighted to be able to bring the characters and story Dan has created to life. Martin is going to find temptation a frighteningly powerful adversary, which takes him into situations he is painfully unprepared for. We hope the viewers are thrilled by the twists and turns as he struggles to keep control and save his family. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity provided by Channel 5 and ITV Studios, and the support of Quay Street Productions, which enables us to share this rollercoaster ride with audiences.”   

 The Hoard is the latest addition to Channel 5’s original drama slate, joining titles including Love Rat, The Good Ship Murder, The Inheritance, For Her Sins (previously Under Her Skin), Blindspot, Black Cab and All Creatures Great and Small.   

 Filming for the series begins in the UK this spring and is expected to air on Channel 5 in the UK later in 2023. ITV Studios will handle international distribution for The Hoard.   

 ENDS   

 For further press enquiries please contact: 

 Kate Killgour | kate.killgour@paramount.com 

 Kate Keilty | kate.keilty@paramount.com  

 NOTES TO EDITORS  

 About Channel 5 

Channel 5 is a public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014.   Channel 5 and its digital brands – 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select, 5ACTION and the on-demand service My5 – offer a diverse range of issue-led documentaries & popular factual celebrating the British countryside and drawing talent to the channel, accessible history, premium drama and critically-acclaimed children’s, news and current affairs programming. Through its agenda-driving commissions, Channel 5 leads on societal issues from inequality to homelessness and mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the nation.    In 2018, Channel 5 won its first BAFTA for Cruising with Jane McDonald. The following year, Raped: My Story won best Single Documentary at RTS. In 2020, it won crowned Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Digital Awards and by the RTS. In addition, that year it secured its first ever Grierson award win in the ‘Best Single Documentary – Domestic’ category with Suicidal: In Our Own Words. In 2021, it won best factual entertainment at the Broadcast Awards for Springtime on the Farm. It also won best drama at Voice of the Listener & Viewer for All Creatures Great and Small the same year.   

 About Paramount Global

Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic studios, networks and streaming services, its portfolio of consumer brands includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, Paramount Global provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions.   

 About Seven Seas Films

Bristol-based Seven Seas Films was set up in 2016 by writer Dan Sefton and producer and former commissioning editor, Simon Lupton. Driven by a passion for great stories, the company is committed to developing and producing high quality scripted Drama, Comedy and Factual content for the UK and international markets.   Creativity and telling compelling stories are at the heart of the business and there are several projects in development, including The Last Days of Marilyn, in partnership with 101 Studios, and an adaptation of the bestseller Driving Over Lemons, in association with Tin Hat Productions and La Pepa. In 2019 Great Point, the UK’s leading independent media and investment firm, invested in Seven Seas Films to help support growth and meet the demand for new television content.  

 About Quay Street Productions (part of ITV Studios)

Quay Street Productions was founded by multi-award-winning producer Nicola Shindler OBE in 2021, to make contemporary, provocative, entertaining, and engaging drama for U.K. and global audiences. The new production company, which is part of ITV Studios, builds on Shindler’s reputation to deliver compelling drama, with her previous credits including It’s A Sin, Stay Close, Ridley Road, Finding Alice, The Stranger, Happy Valley and Queer As Folk.    Based in Manchester, Quay Street Productions puts the writers and talent at the centre of the production process. Welcoming voices from all different backgrounds, Quay Street Productions promotes a diversity of storytelling working with new and established writers. Quay Street’s inaugural drama Nolly, written by Russell T Davies and starring Helena Bonham Carter, was released on ITVX in February 2023, and they are currently in production on After the Flood for ITV and BritBox International and Fool Me Once for Netflix. Significant Other for ITVX and Men Up for BBC One will air later in 2023.  

 About ITV Studios 

 ITV Studios is a creator, producer and distributor of world-leading programmes that people can’t get enough of. We connect millions of people every day and shape and reflect the world they live in, we are More Than TV.   ITV Studios is home to some of the best creative minds, crafting over 6,900 hours of original programming across more than 60 production labels. Our global footprint spans 13 countries including the UK, US, Australia, France, Germany, The Nordics, Italy and the Netherlands and our global distribution business sells our catalogue of 90,000+ hours to broadcasters and platforms around the world.   ITV Studios is part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster.