Bella Ramsey Joins Witness Protection Thriller Series MAYA
Bella Ramsey, Fresh off battling cordyceps-infected monsters in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, the Emmy-nominated actor is stepping into something equally intense, though this time the monsters are human.
Ramsey will star in the new six-part Channel 4 thriller Maya, created by and co-starring Daisy Haggard (Back to Life, Breeders), who also makes her directorial debut on the series. The project was written specifically with Ramsey in mind.
In the series, “Forced into a witness protection programme to escape a life-threatening danger, Anna and Maya leave their London lives behind, taking on new identities and relocating to a small rural town in Scotland.
“As they try to adjust to their new reality, the trauma of their past continues to haunt them in the form of two hitmen intent on tracking them down. As the walls close in, it becomes clear that a dangerous figure from their past is still a looming threat.”
Ramsey said: “This story and these characters Daisy has created are so alive, nuanced, wickedly funny and scarily dark. Every character jumps off the page, the dialogue is incredibly witty and I’m so excited to get to play Maya opposite Daisy’s Anna.”
Haggard, who created and wrote the show, said: “Ever since I first dreamt up this show, there has only ever been one Maya… I wrote the part with Bella so clearly in my head and I honestly still can’t believe they want to be part of it.
“Bella is pure magic, just insanely talented, and I can’t wait for us to work together. I’m also thrilled to be taking the leap into directing, and excited to have the opportunity to co-direct the series alongside the brilliant Jamie Donoughue.”
While Maya is billed as a thriller, there’s a healthy dose of humor and heart. Producers describe the show as “darkly comedic, and shot through with Haggard’s trademark warmth and humour,” noting it explores “themes of predatory male behaviour, family and love,” but at its core is “a warm and witty celebration of the special, unbreakable bond shared between mother and daughter.”
Channel 4’s Gemma Boswell added, “We are thrilled to have Bella join the cast of Maya. It’s testament to the wit and depth of Daisy’s writing to entice such fantastic talent and we can’t wait to see the dynamic of Maya and Anna on-screen.”
The project comes from Two Brothers Pictures, the folks behind Fleabag and The Tourist with filming set entirely in Scotland later this year.
Source: Variety