First Woman: Ben Miles, Jimmy Akingbola, Shazad Latif, and More Join ITV and ZDF in an Intriguing Lunar Mystery Thriller
ITV and ZDF Finalize Main Cast for Space Mystery ‘First Woman’
ITV and ZDF have completed the primary cast for their upcoming space thriller, First Woman. The series features prominent actors Ben Miles, Jimmy Akingbola, Kathryn Gallagher, Christian Ochoa Lavernia, Shazad Latif, and Fra Fee.
Joining leads Andrea Riseborough and Ashley Walters, as well as previously announced cast members Jennifer Elhe and Alex Hassell, the ensemble promises a blend of seasoned talent. Philip Martin will direct the series.
First Woman revolves around Claire Reith, portrayed by Riseborough, a biologist on a groundbreaking mission as the first woman on the moon. Her sudden disappearance raises suspicion among her fellow astronauts, as well as a rival Chinese base. Meanwhile, her husband, Ben, played by Walters, embarks on a search for the truth amidst a race against time that shifts between Mission Control and the lunar surface.
Akingbola is set to portray astronaut Dr. Henry Evans, responsible for the moon’s nuclear reactor, while Fee takes on the role of Dr. Declan McAllister, whose brash attitude often puts him at odds with Claire. Gallagher will represent former NASA astronaut Lucy Miller, now stationed in Mission Control, while Ochoa Lavernia will play Gabriel Ross, the mission commander. Latif’s character, Inesh Vidhani, is a billionaire backing the space program, and Miles will portray Peter Talbot, the mission director.
Described as having cinematic scale and ambition, First Woman is produced by Mammoth Screen, Alcon Television Group, and ZDF. The six-part series combines elements of sci-fi and thriller genres, depicting the stark contrast between life on Earth and in space. The script is penned by lead writer Lydia Yeoman, alongside George Oakes, while Julia Stannard serves as producer.
Filming is currently taking place in Northern Ireland, with UNIT VFX collaborating on visual effects. The lunar settings are being created at Studio Ulster, the UK’s largest virtual production studio.
The series is set to air in the UK on ITV1 and Scotland’s STV, as well as stream on ITVX and STV Player. ZDF holds the German broadcasting rights, with Yi Qiao serving as the commissioning editor.
