First look at BBC’s neo-Nazi thriller Ridley Road sees fascists flood the streets with anti-Jewish propaganda
THE cast of BBC's neo-Nazi thriller Ridley Road started filming over the weekend.
The new four-part drama series, which has been adapted from the novel of the same name written by Jo Bloom, follows the story of a young Jewish woman who joins a far-right group whilst being undercover.
Ridley Road is set in the early 60s and tells the story of Vivien Epstein (played by Aggi O'Casey), a young lady who decides to move down south to East London after her father dies.
She then gets a job as a hairdresser and gets herself involved in an anti-fascist movement called the NSM, despite being Jewish.
The cast were spotted filming for the show in Ashton under Lyne in Greater Manchester from 5pm on Saturday and will continue filming for the show today.
The series, written by Sarah Solemani, was confirmed all the way back in September 2019, but it is not yet known when it will eventually hit our screens.
Other stars in the cast include Rory Kinnear as the racist leader Colin Jordan, EastEnders legends Danny Hatchard, Tamzin Outhwaite and Tracy-Ann Oberman and Game Of Thrones actress Samantha Spiro.
Writer Sarah Solemani, who is best known for her role in BBC Three's Him & Her, spoke out about the new show and said: "A young hairdresser from Manchester makes an unlikely hero in this little known slice of British history.
"But in these unprecedented times, it is the unlikely heroes whose stories are now worth telling.
"Britain's relationship with fascism is closer and more alive than we like to think. Fortunately, so too is our rich heritage of beating it. Honoured to bring the story of Ridley Road to the BBC and Masterpiece.”
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And others working with the actress - who played Miranda in Working Title's Bridget Jones's Baby - are more than impressed with her writing skills.
The BBC's commissioning executive, Ayela Butt said: "Sarah's brilliant scripts have drawn together an extraordinary ensemble cast of some the finest actors in the UK and we are delighted to have exciting new talent, Aggi O’Casey, in the lead role.
"We are thrilled to be working with RED to tell this hugely compelling and inspiring story about an ordinary woman risking everything to fight against fascism."
Lead protagonist, Aggi O'Casey, who recently graduated from Lír Academy, is beyond excited for when everyone can see what is install for the new series.
She added: "Sarah Solemani has blown me away with the detail, sensitivity, and complexity with which she has written Vivien. I can’t wait to bring this vital and little-known story to life."
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After falling in love with a member of the ‘62 Group’, a coalition of Jewish men who stood up against rising neo-Nazism in post-war Britain, she joins the fight against fascism in London.
