Alex Hassell and Jennifer Ehle Star in ITV’s New Space Drama ‘First Woman’
Alex Hassell and Jennifer Ehle Join Cast of Lunar Thriller Series ‘First Woman’
In an exciting development for the upcoming lunar thriller series First Woman, actors Alex Hassell and Jennifer Ehle have officially joined the cast. The news, revealed last week, brings together a talented ensemble featuring Andrea Riseborough and Ashley Walters.
First Woman, a six-part drama produced by ITV Studios’ Mammoth Screen, Alcon Television, and Germany’s ZDF, follows biologist Claire Reith, portrayed by Riseborough. Claire is part of a groundbreaking research project as the first woman to set foot on the moon but mysteriously disappears, raising suspicions about her fellow astronauts and a rival Chinese base. Meanwhile, her husband, Ben (played by Walters), embarks on a desperate search for the truth amid escalating tension.
Ehle is set to portray Helen Sadler, an investigator with the UK Space Flight Authority assigned to unravel the circumstances surrounding Claire’s disappearance. Skeptical that Claire left the lunar module voluntarily, Sadler’s inquiry reveals hidden secrets within Mission Control.
Hassell will take on the role of UK Prime Minister Christopher Scott, described as a polished and pragmatic centrist politician. As the crisis intensifies, Scott’s political stability is threatened, forcing him to confront the depths he will go to in pursuit of his ambitions.
Production is currently underway in Belfast, supported by Northern Ireland Screen. The series is utilizing Studio Ulster, the UK’s largest virtual production facility, to create the lunar base and landscape. Lydia Yeoman, who is collaborating with George Oakes and Ben Schiffer on the screenplay, aims to deliver a gripping narrative that alternates between Mission Control and the moon’s surface.
Executive producers for First Woman include Mammoth Screen’s Damien Timmer, James Gandhi, Philip Martin, Oakes, and Yeoman. ITV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill, is overseeing the production on behalf of the broadcaster. Alcon is co-financing the series alongside distributor ITV Studios.
Ehle, celebrated for her role in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, has an extensive filmography that includes The King’s Speech, Contagion, and She Said. She has also made notable appearances in television series such as NBC’s The Blacklist and Prime Video’s Dead Ringers.
Hassell is recognized for his role in the Disney+ series Rivals. His acting portfolio spans various productions, including BBC’s Bonkers, Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop, and films like George Clooney’s Suburbicon.
The addition of Hassell and Ehle to First Woman promises to enhance the series, which aims for a compelling exploration of ambition, rivalry, and the mysteries of space exploration.
