Channel 4 has announced details of an “ambitious, suspense-filled original drama series” spanning the UK, US and North Korea.

From the makers of Endeavour and Parade’s End, the ten 60-minute episodes will be written by British playwright and screenwriter Matt Charman (Our Zoo).

Opposite Number will follow “the closed worlds of North Korea and the charged nexus of relationships between London and Washington … as the clock ticks on a global-scaled nuclear crisis”.

The official synopsis reads: “On a covert mission in North Korea, the world’s most secretive nation, a British nuclear scientist is taken prisoner, triggering an international crisis which itself must be kept secret. Realizing their man could be forced to help North Korea finally weaponize its nuclear technology, the British Prime Minister and the U.S. President, two leaders of very different political stripes, must work together and mobilize every level of their governments to pull the world back from the brink…2

Writer Matt Charman commented “North Korea is one of the last truly impenetrable nations on the planet, and one of the most dangerous for the West. I wanted to write a drama that could blow the lid off our understanding of who we think the North Korean people are and what their government truly wants.”

Beth Willis, Deputy Head of Drama at C4, commented: “Matt Charman has done something extraordinary with this gripping political thriller. Weaving together three very different political systems – it is full of secrets, lies and almost constant tension. Opposite Number is real edge of your seat, addictive stuff and we are incredibly excited about seeing it brought to life by Matt and Mammoth Screen.”

Are you looking forward to Opposite Number? Let us know below…