Martin Clunes leads the cast of gritty new crime drama Out There as he battles against drug dealers in rural Wales.
Welsh farmer Nathan Williams grapples with the increasing unease over his farm’s future and those of his local community. Nathan also frets about the influence a past acquaintance turned local drug dealer, Rhys (Gerran Howell), is having on his teenage son Johnny (Louis Ashbourne Serkis).
The storyline sees Nathan shielding his agricultural way of life and his community from the encroaching threat of County Lines’ illicit substance operations.
The Mirror reports the first episode of Out There will be broadcast at 9pm on Sunday, January 19, on ITV1, with all six episodes available to stream on ITVX the same day.
Boasting Martin Clunes at the forefront, the ensemble features an array of actors familiar from Game of Thrones, Outlander, and Ludwig.
Who is in the cast of Out There?
Martin Clunes as Nathan
Doc Martin star Martin Clunes continues his stint playing dramatic roles in new gritty drama Out There
(Image: ITV)
Centring around Martin Clunes, the drama is driven by his farmer character Nathan, a widower struggling to juggle single parenthood with keeping his farm running as he comes to terms with losing his wife.
Commenting on his character Nathan, Martin Clunes says: “Nathan Williams is a single parent with a teenage son, and they rub along just fine, but there is a cloud of grief over the house following the death of his wife Sabine.”
“Things are not great because they are on that journey of grief. But there is a normality, there is the rhythm to the working day because of the needs of the animals on the farm, which keeps Nathan on his toes.”
“At the same time he is mindful of his teenage boy, and to make sure he is heading in the right direction, and there is a normality to that.”
At 63, Clunes has earned his status as a household name within television acting, with memorable roles in series such as Doc Martin, Men Behaving Badly, Reggie Perrin, and his own travel documentaries for ITV.
Louis Ashbourne Serkis as Johnny Williams
Louis Ashbourne Serkis plays the role of Nathan’s teenage son Johnny
(Image: Buffalo Pictures)
Louis Ashbourne Serkis plays the role of Nathan’s teenage son Johnny, who finds himself embroiled in the drug operation.
Speaking about his role, Louis said: “Johnny in some ways is just a regular teenager. He is into his sports, keen computer gamer, he is an achieved swimmer.
“Something terrible has happened to both of them which has completely shaken up their lives ,and I feel like they still desperately trying to get over it in any way they can.
“He is extremely loyal to those he loves, he is devoted and very true hearted, so very pure at heart.”
The offspring of famed actor and filmmaker Andy Serkis, young Louis has already built a repertoire that includes roles in The Queen’s Gambit, Taboo, Endeavour, and The Kid Who Would Be King.
Mark Lewis Jones as Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams, portrayed by Mark Lewis Jones, is Nathan’s sibling who feels somewhat alienated despite his local upbringing on the family homestead.
Reflecting on his character, the Welsh actor said: “Caleb Williams is Martin’s character’s brother. They were born on a farm in the border country of Wales.
“Caleb always felt he was the brother not taken seriously. The brother who was left out, and lost his way a bit.
“Then he went into the Royal Marines, and saw a lot of action. I think he would have seen a lot of trauma and I guess would have been traumatised by it.”
The Welsh actor has previously graced our screens as DI Russell Bing in 55 Degrees North, with additional roles in Baby Reindeer, The Reckoning, Outlander and Gangs of London.
Natalia Kostrzewa as Eva Bartosz
Eva Bartosz is a cleaner who migrated to England chasing her ex-boyfriend, who owes her money. She also forms a friendly bond with the Williams family.
Audiences may recognise Natalia from Fool Me Once, Dark Heart, as well as smaller parts in Line of Duty and Save Me.
Gerran Howell as Rhys
Gerran Howell as Rhys and Josef Altin as Kenny in Out There
(Image: ITV/Buffalo Pictures)
Rhys is an old school friend of Johnny’s who has recently rekindled their friendship. He entrusts Johnny with a package, quickly drawing him into the drug operation.
Some viewers might remember him as Vladimir Dracula in the CBBC television series Young Dracula, but he has expanded his repertoire to include TV and film work in recent years.
He portrayed DC Simon Evans in Ludwig, Ernesto in The Sparticle Mystery, Emerald City and also starred as Kid Sampson in the George Clooney-led Catch 22.
Carly-Sophia Davies as Sadie
Carly-Sophia Davies stars as Sadie in Out There
(Image: ITV)
Sadie is Rhys’ sister and the object of Johnny’s affections. Viewers will recognise her from The Eternal Daughter, Midsomer Murders and The Sin-Eater.
The broader cast of Out There includes:
- Jack Parry-Jones as DCI Neil Anderson
- Michael Obiora as Scott Foley
- Waj Ali as Khalad
- Akin Gazi as Cakir
- Atilla Akinci as Hakan
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Josef Altin as Kenny