The Fuse will be filmed and set in Manchester, with Doctor Who‘s Piers Wenger as executive producer.

The five-part series sees politician Daniel Demoys wake up after an alcohol-fuelled night, only to realise that he might be responsible for a murder. A dramatic act of redemption buys him public adoration, but Daniel is painfully aware that everything could come crashing down at any moment.

Writer Bill Gallagher commented: “I liked the idea of starting a story with a man who finds himself in a self-induced hell, and following him as he tries to make amends for the harm he has done. He happens to be a politician, so he has a chance to pay for his sins in his community.”

Nicola Shindler, executive producer at Red Production Company, added: “I am extremely excited to be working on another Bill Gallagher script. He has written an incredibly compelling, morally complex thriller with a very recognisable family at its core. We are going to make an accessible, very honest and stylish drama for BBC One.”