Turks & Caicos is a 2014 political thriller television film, written and directed for the BBC by the playwright David Hare.[1] It follows Page Eight, which aired on BBC Two in August 2011 and is followed by Salting the Battlefield.[2][3]
| Turks & Caicos | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Genre | Political thriller, action drama |
| Written by | David Hare |
| Directed by | David Hare |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Paul Englishby |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Celia Duval |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 20 March 2014 |
| Related | |
Plot edit
Following the events of Page Eight, ex-MI5 officer Johnny Worricker (Bill Nighy) is in hiding on the Turks and Caicos Islands. A seemingly chance encounter with Curtis Pelissier (Christopher Walken) leads Johnny to a dinner with several shady American businessmen who comprise a company called Gladstone. The following morning, one of the businessmen is found dead on the beach in suspicious circumstances; Melanie Fall (Winona Ryder), a Gladstone liaison, seems to know more than she lets on. When Pelissier reveals himself to be a CIA covert operative who knows Johnny's true identity, Johnny desperately cuts a deal: he will help Pelissier with the investigation of Gladstone in exchange for his silence about his location.
The remaining businessmen claim to be on the islands for an international financial colloquium. Johnny learns they have a link to London private equity mogul Stirling Rogers (Rupert Graves), who is also director of a charitable foundation called The Bridge. Johnny links The Bridge to his old nemesis, Prime Minister Alec Beasley (Ralph Fiennes). Johnny's old girlfriend, former MI5 analyst Margot Tyrell (Helena Bonham-Carter), is now a financial expert in London who is working with Rogers. He calls on old acquaintance Rollo Maverley (Ewen Bremner) to contact Margot and extract information regarding The Bridge.
Before long, Johnny learns the extent of Gladstone's activities: they are "quartermasters" who have been overcharging the U.S. government for the construction of black site torture camps. When Margot and Rogers arrive on the island, Johnny quickly makes his presence known and, along with Pelissier, sets up a high-stakes meeting with the concerned parties. Amid tense negotiations, Johnny — with the help of Margot's information — secures a deal between the CIA and Gladstone, and reveals a link between the company's excess funds and Beasley's ambitions. Johnny is double-crossed by Pelissier and is forced to flee the islands. He and Margot reconcile, and — with the help of local policeman Carroll — evade the CIA long enough to escape via boat. The two now go on the run, knowing their lives will never be the same again.
Cast edit
- Bill Nighy as Johnny Worricker, former MI5 analyst
- Helena Bonham Carter as Margot Tyrrell, Johnny's ex-girlfriend
- Rupert Graves as Stirling Rogers, director of 'The Bridge' foundation
- Ralph Fiennes as Prime Minister Alec Beasley
- Ewen Bremner as Rollo Maverley
- James McArdle as Ted Finch
- Winona Ryder as Melanie Fall, Financial PR
- Christopher Walken as Curtis Pelissier, a CIA agent on the islands
- Dylan Baker as Gary Bethwaite
- Meredith Eaton as Clare Clovis, an accountant for Gladstone
- Zach Grenier as Dido Parsons
- Julie Hewlett as Natalie Helier
- James Naughton as Frank Church
- Malik Yoba as Jim Carroll, a detective with the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force
Production edit
Filming took place in London and the Turks and Caicos Islands.[4][5] Turks & Caicos is a Carnival Films, Heyday Films, Beaglepug and Masterpiece co-production in association with NBCUniversal for BBC Television.[6]
References edit
- ^ Dowell, Ben (11 February 2014). "Bill Nighy: my man crush on Christopher Walken". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Jeffery, Morgan (3 May 2013). "Bill Nighy, Christopher Walken for BBC Two's Page Eight sequels". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Sherwin, Adam (11 February 2014). "David Hare attacks excessive 'body count' in movies and TV drama". The Independent. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Bill Nighy to reprise his role in The Worricker Trilogy". BBC. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Deans, Jason (28 June 2013). "Maggie Gyllenhaal to star in BBC2 thriller set against Middle East conflict". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "TV Preview: Turks & Caicos + Panel". BFI. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
External links edit
- Turks & Caicos at BBC Online
- Turks & Caicos at IMDb
- Radio Times, Turks & Caicos
- Turks & Caicos media pack at BBC.co.uk
