Affinity Press Pack

Affinity

01/12/2008

Set against the ominous backdrop of a Victorian prison, Affinity is both a Gothic ghost story and poignant account of forbidden love with an unexpected sting in the tail.

Box TV’s single film for ITV1 stars Anna Madeley (Sense And Sensibility, Consent, The Secret Life of Mrs Beeton, The Outsiders), Zoe Tapper (These Foolish Things, Stage Beauty, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, A Harlot’s Progress), Anna Massey (He Knew He Was Right, Rebecca, Hotel Du Lac), Annie Reid (Life Begins, Bleak House, The Mother) and Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction).

Following the death of her father, Margaret Prior (Madeley) decides to volunteer as a visitor to the female inmates of Millbank, one of London's most notorious gaols. Among Millbank's murderers and common thieves, Margaret finds herself increasingly fascinated by one inmate, the enigmatic spiritualist Selina Dawes (Tapper). Selina is serving time for the assault of a young girl through a malevolent spirit during a séance.

Initially sceptical of Selina's gifts, but sympathetic to the plight of this beautiful and seemingly innocent girl, Margaret finds herself dispensing guidance and friendship on her visits. But soon it is Margaret herself who is on the back foot, thrown by Selina’s piercing insight into her own character and predicament.

Pressed by her domineering mother to marry, yet repulsed by the advances of a man who sees himself as the perfect match, Margaret finds Selina awakening feelings in her she has been struggling to suppress. And soon things start to happen – impossible things – which suggest Selina may indeed be telling the truth about her ability to communicate with and command the dead.

Bringing vividly to life a twilight world of séances, shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions, Affinity builds a powerful romantic mystery which will keep audiences guessing until the startling conclusion.

Sally Haynes, Controller of Drama at ITV, says: "Both Andrew Davies and Sarah Waters are renowned and well-loved for their bold, atmospheric, unique period pieces. The combination of supernatural mystery, Sapphic romance and a disturbing twist to the tale give this an entirely different flavour to the typical costume drama, one we're proud to have on our slate."

Affinity is adapted by prolific dramatist Andrew Davies. Andrew’s writing credits include Sarah Waters’ debut novel Tipping The Velvet, as well as the upcoming feature film Brideshead Revisited and the recent Room With A View for ITV1 and Sense And Sensibility for the BBC. Andrew also wrote the critically acclaimed Bleak House, Fanny Hill, In The Line of Beauty, Daniel Deronda, The Chatterley Affair and He Knew He Was Right for the BBC and Northanger Abbey, Dr Zhivago, Othello and Falling for ITV. He also co-wrote both feature film adaptations of Bridget Jones’s Diary. He is currently adapting Sleep With Me for ITV and Little Dorritt for the BBC.

Affinity is directed by Tim Fywell (I Capture The Castle, Waking The Dead, Madame Bovary, North Square) and produced by Adrian Bate (Class of 76, Hear The Silence, Cider With Rosie). Executive Producers are Box TV’s Gub Neal, Justin Thomson-Glover and Patrick Irwin, as well as Andrew Davies and Vivianne Morin for Cité Amérique. Greg Dummett is co-producing for Cité Amérique.

Original press pack here