Introduction
The Driver is a three-part television drama/thriller starring English actor David Morrissey as taxi driver Vince McKee, an ordinary man who finds himself in some extraordinary situations.
Describing the series for the BBC, writer Danny Brocklehurst says: “I’m proud of the fact that we have come out with a show that can both break your heart with emotion, then have a kick-ass car chase.”
Lead Cast List
Character – Actor – Previous TV Series/Movies
Vince McKee – David Morrissey – The Field of Blood, Meadowlands (Cape Wrath), The Walking Dead
Ros McKee – Claudie Blakeley – Lark Rise to Candleford, What Remains
Katie McKee – Sacha Parkinson – The Mill, Coronation Street
Tim McKee – Lewis Rainer – Death Comes to Pemberley, Dani’s House
The Horse – Colm Meaney – Hell On Wheels, ZOS: Zone of Separation
Colin and Craig Vine – Ian Hart – Klondike, Rogue
Mickey – Darren Morfitt – Top Boy, 55 Degrees North
Woodsy – Christopher Coghill – EastEnders, The Royal
Darren – Andrew Tiernan – Prisoners Wives, The Great Fire
Amjad – Harish Patel – Coronation Street, Mr Stink
Detective Ryder – Shaun Dingwall – Above Suspicion, Breathless, In a Land of Plenty, Touching Evil, Soldier Soldier
Ryan – Tom Gibbons – Young Dracula
Kev Mitchell – Lee Ross – EastEnders, Mutual Friends
BBC One Trailer
Additional Cast
Detective O’Connor – Andrew Knott – Where the Heart Is, Spooks: Code 9
Joseph Paslowski – Nathan McMullen – Misfits
Sarah – Leanne Best – Ripper Street
Reg – Alan Rothwell – Starlings, Coronation Street, Dead Man Weds, Wilmot, Top Secret
Ryan – Tom Gibbons – Young Dracula
Cathy – Eve Steele – Coronation Street
Martin – Julian Walsh – Jossy’s Giants, Sorted
Tasha – Sara Choudhry
Jess – Chloe Harris – The Village
Tough Faced Woman – Paula Wolfenden
Doctor – Maxine Burth
Cashier Girl – Shareesa Valentine
Earnest Young Man – James Boyland
Shades Man – Julian Gorman
Matthew – Dominic Coleman – Trollied, Heading Out, Swinging, Stupid
Isaac – Rick Bacon
Donna – Judith Hershy
Amanda – Ciara Baxendale – My Mad Fat Diary, Harriet’s Army
Paramedic – Luke Broughton
Mr Reynolds – Lee Toomes
Man in Suit – Giles Ford – Coronation Street, The Mill
Blake – Paul Hilton – Casualty 1909, True Dare Kiss
Greg Tyler – Karl Collins – The Bill, Grease Monkeys
Melinda – Kaye Wragg – No Angels, The Bill, Holby City
Colin’s Mum – Deirdre Costello
Chinese Man – Dan Li – Ideal, The Deep, 24: Live Another Day
Bouncer – Mark Sheals
Police Officer – Emma Bispham
Episode 1 Preview Clip
UK Premiere Date
The Driver is scheduled to premiere in the UK on Tuesday September 23, 2014, at 9:00 PM on BBC One.
Filming Locations
Beginning in January, 2014, The Driver was filmed in and around the city of Manchester, England.
Comparisons
Due to episode one beginning with a flash-forward action scene, and the series’ storyline seeing the lead character earning some extra money through less than legal means, it’s hard not to notice some similarities between The Driver and Breaking Bad. However, with the BBC show only running for three episodes, the storyline naturally progresses much quicker, with little time for subtle shifts in character personalities.
In comparison to the hit US series’ Walter White, Vince McKee comes across as an even more unwitting participant, with little to no knowledge of the murky world he’s just entered. The question is, can he too toughen up and discover his own inner Heisenberg?