'Roadkill' on PBS: Hugh Laurie, Helen McCrory and Saskia Reeves, meet the cast of Brit political thriller
The new political thriller from David Hare 'Roadkill' is showing you how corrupt politicians with an unwavering ambition climb their way up the ladder of politics. Starring Hugh Laurie as Peter Laurence, a self-made forceful and charismatic politician, 'Roadkill' follows his as his public and private life begins to falling apart following his victory in a libel suit. Or let's put it more blatantly – his life is being torn apart by his enemies after his wins this lawsuit by "slightly bending" the truth.
Soon enough, his deepest, darkest personal revelations spiral out of control yet he continues to further his own agenda. Will this politician be able to leave his past behind? Or do his skeletons threaten to upend everything as it stands in his life today?
'Roadkill' arrives on Masterpiece on PBS on November 1, 2020. But before that, meet the cast.
Hugh Laurie as Peter Laurence
Laurie's character of Peter Laurence is described as "an utterly charismatic Conservative politician with working-class roots".
The actor is best known for his titular role on 'House', a consistently celebrated performance for which he received two Golden Globe Awards and nominations for numerous other awards. In 2011, he was listed as the most-watched leading man on television in Guinness World Records and was one of the highest-paid actors in a television drama, earning £250,000 ($409,000) per episode of 'House'. He is also known for playing the role of arms dealer Richard Onslow Roper in 'The Night Manager' - a role for which he won his third Golden Globe Award - and for the role of Senator Tom James in HBO's 'Veep', for which he received his 10th Emmy Award nomination.
Helen McCrory as Dawn Ellison
McCrory is set to play the role of "the savvy, calculating Prime Minister". The actress is best known for playing the role of Françoise in 'Charlotte Gray', Narcissa Malfoy in the 'Harry Potter' franchise, Mama Jeanne in 'Hugo', Clair Dowar in 'Skyfall', Emma Banville in 'Fearless', Kathryn Villiers in 'MotherFatherSon' and Polly Gray in 'Peaky Blinders'.
Saskia Reeves as Helen Laurence
Reeves plays the role of Peter's wife. The actress is best known for her work in 'Close My Eyes', 'I.D.', and 'Frank Herbert's Dune'. Her role of Freya Galdi in 'Shetland', Ellis in 'Belgravia', DSU Rose Teller in 'Luther' and Connie Petersen in 'Us' are also well-known performances by her.
Pip Torrens as Joe Lapidus
Torrens stars as a newspaper editor in the series. The actor is best known for his work as Tommy Lascelles in the 'The Crown', 'Poldark', 'Versailles', 'The Danish Girl', 'The Iron Lady', 'War Horse' and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.
Sidse Babett Knudsen as Madeleine Halle
Sidse stars as the other woman in Peter's life - one of the many scandals he is involved in that threaten to tear his life apart. The Danish actress is internationally known for her groundbreaking performance of the Danish Prime Minister Birgitte Nyborg in the Danish TV series 'Borgen', as Theresa Cullen in HBO's 'Westworld' and as Harriet Paulsen in 'The Accident'.
Episode 1 of 'Roadkill' will premiere on Masterpiece on PBS on November 1, 2020, at 9/8c. The following episodes will air through the coming month.