Cameras are officially rolling at Sky Studios Elstree on Charmer, a newly greenlit Sky Original drama produced by Working Title Television and Story Films, alongside Universal Global Television and Sky Studios. The eight-episode series features a high-profile ensemble led by Anthony Boyle (The Altruists, House of Guinness), Siena Kelly (Black Mirror, Adult Material), Connor Swindells (The Entertainment System Is Down, SAS Rogue Heroes), and Sophie Wilde (Digger, Talk to Me).
The narrative centers on a tight-knit circle of ambitious 30-somethings living in London whose dynamics fracture following the arrival of Ryan (played by Boyle). Operating as a high-stakes “seducer-for-hire,” Ryan makes a living testing whether the partners of his affluent clientele will stay faithful. However, when an upcoming wedding pushes a routine job into dangerously intimate territory, the strict boundary between his personal life and his profession starts to blur. Trapped in a web where genuine passion collides with manipulation, Ryan finds himself on the brink of violating his own golden boundary: never fall in love. Ultimately, the project examines the messy realities of modern trust, sexual tension, and the search for genuine connection.
The series was created and written by Thomas Aspell, with Emmy winner and BAFTA nominee Elliot Hegarty (Rivals, Ted Lasso, Bad Education) attached to direct. The writing team also features Melissa Bubnic, Constance Cheng, and Anna Ssemuyaba, while Dionne Edwards steps in to direct the second block of episodes.
Boyle’s character Ryan is joined on screen by Kelly as Emily, Swindells as Max, and Wilde as Cameron. The broader cast includes Sam Delich, Vivian Oparah, Neil Maskell, Karan Gill, Sophie Simnett, and Polly Walker.
Commenting on the project, Anthony Boyle said: “I’m thrilled to come on board and play Ryan in Charmer, working alongside such incredible talent. Tom’s scripts are fantastic, heartfelt, funny and smart. I can’t wait for people to meet the characters that Siena, Connor and Sophie create.”
Highlighting Sky’s investment in the series, Meghan Lyvers, Managing Director, Scripted Originals, Sky, said: “Charmer is exactly the kind of bold, original storytelling we champion at Sky. Tom has crafted a brilliantly distinctive take on modern love, brought to life by an exceptional cast led by Anthony, Siena, Connor and Sophie. Backed by the combined pedigree of Working Title Television and Story Films, and with Elliot Hegarty at the helm, this outstanding creative team is bringing something provocative and thrilling to the screen. We can’t wait for audiences to see it.”
Addressing the thematic pull of the series, Simon Hatton, Executive Producer, Working Title Television, said: “Charmer is a seductive way into the thorny heart of contemporary love. Part thriller, part romance, it asks unexpected questions about trust and desire, and what happens when the heart overrules the head. We’re excited to be making this bold show with our partners at Story Films and Sky.”
Reinforcing that central premise, Dave Nath, Executive Producer, Story Films, said: “At its heart Charmer asks a deceptively simple question: How far would you go to discover the truth about the person you love? We’re delighted to be partnering with Working Title and Sky to bring Tom Aspell’s brilliantly original idea to the screen.”
The production brings together two major industry forces: Working Title Television (a division of Universal Studio Group’s Universal Global Television) and Story Films (part of Banijay Entertainment). Working Title’s recent television slate includes Too Much and Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole, while Story Films previously produced The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe and Deceit.
The executive producer team consists of Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Surian Fletcher-Jones, and Simon Hatton for Working Title; David Nath and Peter Beard for Story Films; alongside creator Thomas Aspell and director Elliot Hegarty. Josh Wilkins serves as co-executive producer, with Commissioning Editor Manpreet Dosanjh executive producing on behalf of Sky. Charlotte Surtees serves as series producer.
Upon completion, Charmer will debut on Sky and its streaming counterpart NOW across the UK and Italy, with international distribution managed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.
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