The cameras are rolling as filming begins on the highly anticipated fourth series of the beloved Bath-based detective drama McDonald & Dodds, featuring Tala Gouveia and BAFTA award-winning actor Jason Watkins in the lead roles.
Consisting of three feature-length films, the first story boasts an impressive guest cast, including Toby Stephens (Lost In Space), singer/songwriter Pixie Lott (The Voice Kids), Lydia Leonard (Gentleman Jack), Daniel Lapaine (Catastrophe), Dipo Ola (Landscapers), John Gordon Sinclair (Gregory’s Girl), and Ace Bhatti (Line of Duty).
In the initial film, McDonald and Dodds delve into an investigation when the lifeless body of a middle-aged woman is discovered in a rented flat. The murderer has meticulously erased all traces of her identity, but DNA evidence reveals that she vanished over 35 years ago. The mystery unfolds: Where has she been all these years? And who was she with?
Returning to the cast for this series are Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) as Chief Superintendent Ormond and Charlie Chambers (EastEnders) as DC Goldie. Bhavik C. Pankhania (World On Fire) joins the lineup as DC Lee.
ITV has commissioned the series, helmed by Polly Hill and Huw Kennair Jones, with production led by Joe Shrubb. The executive producers are Robert Murphy, Damien Timmer, and Charlotte Webber. The first film is written by Robert Murphy and directed by Khurrum M. Sultan.
Expressing his excitement, Huw Kennair Jones stated, “We’re thrilled to be returning to the beautiful city of Bath for more original and inventive crimes for McDonald and Dodds to solve. And it’s great to be working with Mammoth Screen, Robert Murphy, and Tala and Jason once again on what promises to be another brilliant series.”
McDonald & Dodds is produced by the esteemed independent production company Mammoth Screen and created by Robert Murphy. The previous three series are available for streaming on ITVX in the UK and Britbox in North America and Australia. ITV Studios will handle the international distribution of the series.
Mammoth Screen, an ITV Studios company, has been a leading production company in the UK, responsible for a wide range of notable shows such as The Rapture, Murder Is Easy, Grime Kids, World On Fire (series one and two), Noughts + Crosses (series one and two), and The Serpent for the BBC. Their impressive portfolio also includes Code of Silence, The Tower (series one and two), Tom Jones, Endeavour (series one to nine), and Why Didn’t They Ask Evans for ITV.
