MARYLAND: SURANNE JONES STARS IN ITV DRAMA THIS MAY

Acclaimed actor Eve Best (House of the Dragon, Nurse Jackie) and Oscar nominated Stockard Channing (The Good Wife, The West Wing) are among the stellar cast joining Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack, Save Me, Vigil) in the new three-part ITVX drama Maryland.

Created by BAFTA and RTS award winning actress, Jones, and screenwriter Anne-Marie O’Connor, Maryland, is commissioned for ITVX by Head of Drama, Polly Hill. Maryland will premiere on ITVX many months before transmission on ITV’s linear channel.

The series focuses on the relationship between two sisters, down-to-earth mother of two Becca (Jones) and disciplined high-flyer Rosaline (Best) who have been driven apart by complex family dynamics.

But when the body of an older woman is discovered at sunrise on Laxey Beach in the Isle of Man, it brings devastating news for the sisters. Becca and Rosaline travel to the Isle of Man to repatriate the body of their mother, Mary, leaving their father Richard (George Costigan - Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley) at home in Manchester.

Confined on the island, they discover shocking information about their mother and find it impossible to escape the ripple effect of her secrets and lies.

Also starring Hugh Quarshie (Stephen, Riches), Dean Lennox Kelly (Tom Jones, Jamestown) and Andrew Knott (Ackley Bridge, Tin Star). Stockard Channing plays Cathy, their mum’s larger-than-life, spiritual friend on the island.

Sue Tully (Strike, Line of Duty, Too Close) directs and the producer is Emma Burge (Wolfe, The Village, Shameless). Suranne Jones will also executive produce the drama which is a co-production with her company, Teamakers Productions.

Alison Owen, executive producer for Monumental, says: "We feel privileged and are thrilled that Suranne has entrusted us with this, her original idea, from which Anne-Marie has crafted a wonderful drama. With these scripts and the support of ITV, we have attracted a dream cast and director, so we’re feeling very lucky at Monumental."

ITV's Polly Hill: “"Maryland is a beautifully moving story of two sisters, and it’s hard to believe this is Anne-Marie’s first original drama commission. It’s a story developed by Suranne Jones and Anne-Marie, and it has been wonderful working with them and Monumental, to bring this story to screen...

"It has a wonderful cast lead by Suranne Jones and Eve Best and we are delighted that Sue Tully is directing. It promises to be a wonderful family drama for ITVX."

Maryland will air on ITV1 and ITVX in May.