Paranormal drama Bedlam returns to Sky Living HD for a second series this spring.
Starring Will Young and Theo James, last year’s Series 1 introduced viewers to Bedlam Heights, a newly converted apartment building on the edge of a British metropolis. The high quality apartments offer stylish 21st century living, but behind the facade lie unimaginable horrors. This former pre-Victorian asylum is haunted by the ghosts of its dark and violent past.
> Buy Series 1 on DVD on Amazon.
Currently filming in Manchester, Series 2 will see EastEnders star Lacey Turner lead the show’s new cast as Ellie, a paramedic, with Gemma Chan (Secret Diary of a Call Girl) joining the cast as Kate’s old friend, Kiera, alongside newcomers Jack Roth and Nikesh Patel.
CultBox recently caught up with Bedlam writer and co-creator Neil Jones (Blue Murder, Waterloo Road) to find out what to expect in the new series…
> Read the first part of our exclusive interview.
Aside from the cast changes, how else does Series 2 differ from Series 1?
“I think it’s a more confident series and as it progresses we’ve tried to be more risky in the type of ghost story we tell. There’s more emphasis on the series arc this time and on revealing the secrets of the building.
“And we’ve tried to inject a little bit more humour. We’d like you to be smiling as you wet your pants in fright basically…”
Can you give us any other clues for Series 2?
“All I can say for all episodes is, keep an eye on the marbles.”
Is there off-screen closure for the Series 1 characters’ stories?
“We absolutely pick up the ongoing stories – this series answers all the big questions and mysteries set up in Series 1. But there are also brand new revelations and secrets tell us all kinds of unexpected truths about the asylum.”
When is Series 2 due to air?
“Dates TBC but sometime this spring on Sky Living HD.”
Which other TV shows are you enjoying at the moment? Are you a fan of American Horror Story?
“Yes, although I haven’t finished it yet – way behind due to Bedlam filming madness. Love The Walking Dead. Thought The Fades was good. Can’t wait for Game of Thrones to start again. Massive Who fan of course. Loved the US Torchwood, especially the John Fay and Russell T Davies episodes.
“Also been watching The Prisoner for the billionth time. Always amazed by how much they experimented with storytelling and structure in those 17 episodes – if we could match a fraction of that ambition with Bedlam I’d be happy.”
Have you got a rough plan for Series 3 and beyond?
“Yes! We’ve only just scratched the surface of the history of Bettany Hospital, its true nature and origins.”
What else have you got coming up?
“I’ve just shot a sitcom pilot which couldn’t be more different to Bedlam. And I wrote for Series 2 of Nickelodeon’s House of Anubis, which is on screen now in the US and starts in the UK soon.
“I’m also developing another big fantasy series and a very mainstream show with an SF concept at the heart of it. Also I have a nice sit down booked in for 2014.”
> Read the first part of our exclusive interview.
Are you looking forward to Series 2? Let us know below…
> Buy Series 1 on DVD on Amazon.
Watch the Series 1 trailer…