Filming begins in Manchester for new ITV drama Viewpoint

Filming has begun in Manchester for Viewpoint – the first ITV drama to begin filming since all UK production went into lockdown due to coronavirus.

Based on an idea by Fleabag and Emmy award-winning director, Harry Bradbeer (Killing Eve, No Offence) and written by Ed Whitmore (Safe House, Manhunt), the gripping five-part drama follows a tense police surveillance investigation into a tight knit Manchester community and explores whether it is ever possible to observe the lives of others with true objectivity and zero effect.

Filming will take place at Space Studios in Manchester and numerous locations across the city, many of which will be facilitated by Screen Manchester, Manchester’s film office.

@Screen_Mcr and @SpaceStudiosMcr are delighted to be supporting #Viewpoint, the first high end drama filming in the city post lockdown providing filming permissions and a production base for this new @ITV series from @TigerAspectUK

— Screen Manchester (@Screen_Mcr) August 25, 2020

Noel Clarke (Bulletproof, Star Trek Into Darkness) plays surveillance detective, DC Martin King, who sets up his observation post in the home of single mum and secret voyeur, Zoe Sterling, played by Alexandra Roach (No Offence, Black Mirror).

Zoe’s windows command a panoramic view of Westbury Square, and more importantly provides a direct sightline into the home of missing primary school teacher, Gemma Hillman, played by Amy Wren (Tutankhamun, The Last Kingdom); the home she shares with boyfriend and prime suspect in her disappearance, Greg Sullivan, played by Fehinti Balogun (Informer, January 22^nd).

Joining the cast are Catherine Tyldesley (Scarborough, Coronation Street), Bronagh Waugh (The Fall, Unforgotten), Sarah Niles (Trust Me, Catastrophe), Shannon Murray (Get Even, EastEnders), Phil Davis (Whitechapel, Poldark) Ian Puleston-Davies (Tin Star, Pennyworth), Dominic Allburn (Jack Irish: Dead Point, Between Two Worlds), Marcus Garvey (Broadchurch, Last Tango in Halifax), Carlyss Peer (The Feed) and Erin Shanagher (The Bay).

Mining the paranoid hinterland of Rear Window and The Lives Of Others, ITV says Viewpoint is a contemporary, character-driven mystery with a seductively intimate feel.

But ultimately, it’s as much about friendship, trust and community as it is about solving a crime. Exploring the tension between our public and private lives and the secrets and horrors that thrive behind closed doors… especially when we think no-one’s watching.

“Harry and Ed have crafted a compelling, tense, claustrophobic thriller that turns the spotlight on the observer rather than the observed,” says executive producer, Lucy Bedford.

“With the incredible Noel Clarke and Alexandra Roach leading the cast, we are extremely excited to be back in production.”