Source: BBC
Apparitions is a hard-hitting new drama that takes us on a terrifying journey into a world of possession and satanic conspiracy. All out war between good and evil is imminent and it's time to choose sides.
Martin Shaw stars as Father Jacob, a Roman Catholic priest who is working to promote candidates for sainthood but is drawn against his will into the world of exorcism.
The idea for the series came from Martin himself as he had long wanted to play an exorcist. It was subsequently picked up and developed further by Joe Ahearne (This Life, Ultraviolet, Doctor Who).
Tony Wood, Creative Director of Lime Pictures, says: "Joe Ahearne has created a gripping story of intrigue and mystery which raises as many questions as it answers.
"Martin Shaw is the perfect choice to play the lead role in this bold series, a very different and darker acting challenge to that which the audience will have seen him in before."
The cast for Apparitions features John Shrapnel (The Duchess, Elizabeth, Gladiator) as Cardinal Bukovak, Jacob's boss who keeps a close watch on his every move; Luigi Diberti (Immortal Beloved) plays Monsignor Vincenzo, Rome's chief exorcist who is soon to retire and wants Jacob to take over from him; Elyes Gabel (Casualty) is pre-ordained priest Vimal who suffers torment at the hands of Michael, a possessed homeless man, played by Rick Warden (Band Of Brothers, Trial And Retribution, Rome).
Michelle Joseph (A Touch Of Frost, In Deep) is Jacob's aide, Sister Anne, who chooses to look for good rather than evil but remains resolutely loyal to Jacob.
Siobhan Finneran (Benidorm, Boy A) is Sister Ruth who joins the series from episode two when she's sent from Rome to monitor Jacob's activities.
Guest stars also include Shaun Dooley (Mark Of Cain, The Street) as single dad Liam, accused by his daughter of possession in episodes one and two.
Guest starring in episode three is Neil Pearson (The Booze Cruise, Drop The Dead Donkey, Bridget Jones' Diary) and Elizabeth Berrington (In Bruges, Moving Wallpaper).
Neil plays the role of Lassiter, a prison governor who calls for Jacob's help when Cory, one of the inmates, shows signs of possession, while Elizabeth plays Kim, the mother of one of Cory's victims.
Episode four features Claudia Harrison (Murphy's Law, Attachments) as Janice, who runs a women's health clinic and comes to Jacob in desperation when there appear to be demonic forces attacking her patients.
Adrian Bower (Teachers, Talk To Me) also guest stars as Simon, a possessed man who is trying to orchestrate a series of satanic births.
And in episode six there's a surprise appearance from Cherie Lunghi (Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, Cutting It) who plays a woman who encounters Jacob at his lowest ebb.
Apparitions is a six-part 60-minute drama written by Joe Ahearne (This Life, Ultraviolet, Doctor Who).
Joe also directed four episodes with John Strickland (Bodies, Clocking Off) directing episodes three and four.
The producers are Anne Harrison-Baxter (Wild At Heart, Waterloo Road), who produced episodes one and two, and Caroline Levy (Cape Wrath), who produced episodes three to six.
The Executive Producers are Matthew Read and Anne Mensah (BBC) and, for Lime Pictures, Carolyn Reynolds and Tony Wood.
Apparitions is a Lime Pictures production for BBC One.
