Filmed exclusively in Scotland, the series follows a group of workers on a remote oil rig who are due to return to the mainland when an eerie fog descends, and a mysterious force begins to take hold

Created by David Macpherson, directed by John Strickland, this brand new six-part thriller will be produced by Wild Mercury Productions and launch exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories

LONDON, UK, 3^rd November 2020 – Amazon Prime Video has confirmed a new UK produced Amazon Original six-part epic thriller series The Rig, produced by Wild Mercury Productions (part of Banijay UK), created by new writer David Macpherson, directed by John Strickland (Line of Duty, Bodyguard), and set to launch exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories.

The Rig follows the crew of the Kishorn Bravo oil rig, stationed off the Scottish coast in the dangerous waters of the North Sea. When the crew are due to return to the mainland, a mysterious and all-enveloping fog rolls through and they find themselves cut off from all communication with the shore and the outside world. As they endeavour to discover what’s driving this force, bonds are broken, allegiances formed and generational fault lines exposed. The crew of the Bravo will be driven to the limits of both their loyalties and their endurance, into a confrontation with forces beyond their imagination.

The Rig will be the first Amazon Original Series filmed exclusively in Scotland, on an oil rig and at FirstStage Studios, the new Scottish film and TV studio space in Edinburgh. Production will start on the series next year.

“The Rig is a brilliant story, expertly told, in the most dramatic of settings” said Georgia Brown, Director of European Amazon Originals for Prime Video. “It asks searching questions about nature and the environment, about what it takes to survive and to be human, which feels very pertinent to the world we are living in now. We’re delighted to add this to our growing roster of UK made Amazon Original shows, all available to stream at no extra cost for Prime members around the world.”

Derek Wax, Managing Director of Wild Mercury said; “The Rig is a character-driven, epic thriller, full of heart-grabbing action and bold, original ideas, and we are delighted to be working with Amazon Prime Video in bringing it to life.  David Macpherson captures life on a North Sea oil rig with extraordinary authenticity and it’s been exciting to work with him, director John Strickland and our creative team in realising the scale and vision of this world. “

The six-part series will be produced by Wild Mercury Productions. The director is John Strickland (Line of Duty, Bodyguard), the executive producers are Derek Wax (Humans, Capital, Troy, Fall of a City) and John Strickland, the producer is Suzanne Reid (Trust Me, Curfew) and the casting director is Kelly Valentine-Hendry (Broadchurch, Fleabag).

The series writer is exciting new talent David Macpherson with his first-time commission. Joining the writing team are Meg Salter and Matthew Jacobs Morgan. Screen Scotland supported The Rig to connect with a range of talent and facilities across the country, making the case for Scotland to be the home for this production. Further details including cast and launch date will be announced in due course.

The Rig will join the thousands of TV shows and movies in the Prime Video catalogue, including UK produced Amazon Original series such as Good Omens, The Grand Tour, All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur, Truth Seekers and All or Nothing: Manchester City; hit movies like Borat Subsequent Moviefilm; and award-winning and critically-acclaimed global Amazon Original series including Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Boys, Homecoming and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, all on Prime Video, which is available at no extra cost for Prime members. Prime Video will also offer Prime members in the UK live coverage of over 20 Premier League football matches from this season, the first ever Autumn Nations Cup international rugby union tournament, plus its continued exclusive coverage of ATP Tour tennis and US Open tennis matches for no additional cost to their Prime membership.

Prime members will be able to watch all episodes of The Rig anywhere and anytime on the Prime Video app for smart TVs, mobile devices, Fire TV, Fire TV stick, Fire tablets, games consoles, on Virgin’s V6 TV Box, the Talk Talk TV set top box, Apple TV, Chromecast, BT TV or online at www.amazon.co.uk/primevideo. In the Prime Video app, Prime members can download episodes on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost. Prime Video is available in the UK and Ireland at no extra cost to a Prime membership for just £7.99 a month or £79 per year. New customers can find out more at amazon.co.uk/prime and subscribe to a free 30-day trial.

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About Wild Mercury Productions

Wild Mercury was established in 2017 by Derek Wax to develop and produce bold, irreverent, imaginative stories for UK and US broadcasters. In creative collaboration with the most original writers working in drama and comedy, the team at Wild Mercury are drawn to dramas which take creative risks, bringing exciting, unfamiliar worlds to audiences. Wild Mercury is part of the Banijay Group.

Wild Mercury’s recent projects, in association with Kudos, include Troy: Fall of A City for BBC and Netflix, Humans series 3 for Channel 4 and AMC and Capital for BBC One. The company is also working on a soon to be announced BBC mini-series.

About Screen Scotland

Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. Sitting within Creative Scotland, it is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success. With funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. For further information please visit: screen.scot and follow @screenscots 

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