ITV's Head of Drama Polly Hill today confirmed commission of six-part crime drama, Wild Bill, starring Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor, Rob Lowe as high-flying US cop, Bill Hixon, who is appointed Chief Constable of the East Lincolnshire Police Force.
The drama is the first time 42 (Traitors, Ironbark, Watership Down) Anonymous Content (13 Reasons Why, Maniac, Mr. Robot) and ITV Studios label, Shiver, have collaborated to produce a drama series for the channel. Rob Lowe is internationally renowned for his work in film and television including The West Wing, Parks and Recreation, Code Black and St. Elmo's Fire. His iconic career spans four decades in film, television and theatre. He also is an acclaimed author and has been awarded two Screen Actors Guild Awards during his illustrious career.
When high-flying US police chief Bill Hixon lands in Boston, Lincolnshire, with his 14 year-old daughter Kelsey in tow, he's hoping they can flee their painful recent past. But this unfamiliar, unimpressed community will force Bill to question everything about himself and leave him asking whether it's Boston that needs Bill, or Bill that needs Boston?
Commented Rob Lowe:
"As an actor, Wild Bill is a larger than life character who's outrageously articulate, has nothing to lose and revels in being an American fish out of water. As a Executive Producer, I'm excited to work with such talented partners and to come back to work in the UK, which I always love."
With a first class degree in Criminology, a Masters in Psychopathology and a Doctorate in Statistical Mapping, Bill Hixon is impressively qualified to tackle the county's crime figures with his graphs, charts, algorithms and a tapestry of digits. Whip-smart, acerbic and unstoppable, Bill is very good at what he does. America's Top Metropolitan Police Chief three years running is the ideal candidate to make his mark on the East Lincolnshire Force, not least by driving through drastic cuts. From the outset Bill isn't about making friends. He's here to get the job done and get the hell out as quick as his spin-class-toned legs will carry him.
But Bill discovers the people of Boston are just as smart-mouthed, cynical and difficult to impress as he is. They don't suffer fools, authority or algorithms gladly. And the man who's spent his life keeping the messiness of human intimacy at arm's length is reluctantly propelled into frontline policing and forced to reconsider his relationship with those closest to him. It's funny and dangerous in equal measure.
Writers and creators Jim Keeble and Dudi Appleton said:
"Wild Bill gives us an chance to write about modern Britain and modern crime through unique eyes. We wrote this for Rob Lowe, for his smart-talking, anarchic, soulful voice. Displacing Rob in Brexit Britain and specifically in Boston, Lincolnshire allows us to tell stories that are leftfield and unexpected. We wanted to write something that couldn't take place anywhere else, or at any other time."
Commented Polly Hill:
"I'm delighted to have Wild Bill on ITV, as it's a really fresh take on police procedure and introduces a brilliant new cop to be played by the wonderful Rob Lowe. It's a fantastic team and an exciting new drama for next year."
The drama will be directed by Lead Director Charles Martin (Marcella, Skins, Wallander) and produced by Chris Thompson (Emerald City, The Fear, Eric and Ernie).
Eleanor Moran and Rory Aitken of 42 commented:
"Wild Bill is a sharp-witted and original take on the police procedural show which audiences have yet to see in this genre. Rob Lowe has a magnetic screen presence which is perfectly suited to bring the character of Bill Hixon to life: a blunt, take-no-prisoners police chief who shakes up the Lincolnshire Force. We can't wait to get started."
Commented Tim Carter, Managing Director of ITV Studios label, Shiver, and Executive Producer:
"Wild Bill is Shiver's first scripted project and brand new territory for the label. Having been fortunate to partner with the innovative and inspiring 42 on other scripted projects before coming to ITV Studios, I am delighted to be working with them again and hope this collaboration will be the first of many. Add the peerless track record of US super-producer Anonymous Content into the mix, genius show-runners in Jim and Dudi, and of course a Hollywood legend …it's beyond exciting."
Filming will take place around London and in Lincolnshire from November 2018. Further casting details will be available prior to filming commencing.
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