New BBC thriller Nightsleeper’s unique special effects left stars throwing up on set during filming
NIGHTSLEEPER is the BBC’s new Sunday night thriller that promises to get pulses racing – but for the show’s actors, it was stomach-churning.
The six-parter, sees cop Joe Roag, played by Peaky Blinders’ Joe Cole, try to save a “hack-jacked” train thundering down the tracks from Glasgow to London.
To create the effect, episodes were filmed in stationary carriages constructed in a studio with the windows actually screens showing footage of moving scenery outside — which left some of the cast with tummy trouble.
Joe said: “We were cooped up in these small carriages for ten, 12 hours a day and they had pre-recorded the entirety of the train journey exteriors from Aberdeen to London on LED screens, which were outside the train.
“You feel like you’re on a train, people were getting motion sickness if they looked out of the window for too long.
“The lighting in the windows saves a lot of time in the edit and just looks more realistic.
“You couldn’t escape this chaos. But it was part of the fun.”
The journey sees the train dangerously hurtle towards the capital after hackers access the electronic controls and take over.
The resulting drama, which starts on September 15, is a mixture of action thriller and a whodunnit, because as well as trying to stop the train Joe has to work out whether the baddies involved are actually on board with him.
Despite the challenging circumstances of making Nightsleeper, Joe hasn’t changed his mind about train travel — but that has not stopped him winding his mates up about it.
He said: “I had a stag do in Glasgow not long after the shoot and a lot of the lads got the nightsleeper up there.
“I was like, Guys, do not get on that thing.”
Mr Bates has big impact
AGENDA-setting drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office will be honoured at next week’s National Television Award.
Stars including Toby Jones and Monica Dolan will take to the stage at London’s O2 alongside the wronged subpostmasters to receive the Impact Award.
The ITV1 series has picked up a string of honours this year after telling the story of the gross miscarriage of justice.
NTA host Joel Dommett said: “It’s not often that a drama comes along and creates a huge cultural shift.
“The fact the show changed legislation is huge.
“It’s a reminder of the power of television.
“Every now and then a programme comes along and reminds you how important it is that these shows exist.”
The winners will be revealed live next Wednesday on ITV1 from 8pm.
Sean is sharing the love
SEAN WILSON has broken his silence following his shock axe from Coronation Street.
Earlier this year, The Sun revealed he would be returning to the cobbles as part of Helen Worth’s exit as Gail Platt.
However, just a few weeks into filming his new scenes last month, we told that Sean – who played the soap’s Martin Platt – had been called into a meeting with ITV execs and abruptly axed.
Soap bosses declined to give any explanation, insisting he had “stepped down for personal reasons”.
Now Sean has posted on social media to thank fans for their support.
Sharing a snap of the word “love” spelled out in lights, he said: “Thanks for all the love xxx.”
Fans flooded him with support, with one saying: “Gail deserves a better ending than the one she’s going to get now.”
For now, Sean’s exit remains a mystery.
Dancing with the lags
AMERICA’s version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, will welcome the first ever convict to its cast.
Con artist Anna Delvey, who is on house arrest, will wear her ankle monitor to compete.
She shot to worldwide fame thanks to Netflix’s 2023 dramatisation about her, Inventing Anna.
Flies is booked by BBC
THE BBC has begun work in Malaysia on an epic new retelling of Lord Of The Flies – the first time the dystopian novel has been adapted for television.
William Golding’s classic follows a group of schoolkids who are stranded on a desert island after a plane crash and slowly turn feral.
Many of the cast are making their professional acting debuts and were recruited after an open casting call, with no prior experience necessary.
Newcomers include David McKenna as Piggy, Winston Swayers as Ralph and Lox Pratt and Jack.
Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer will create the soundtrack.
The four-part series will air next year.
Joe on the go
JOE LYCETT has landed a new gig as the host of the inaugural Sky Arts Awards and is hoping to spread a message about funding cuts and rising unemployment in the arts.
The ceremony, at London’s Roundhouse on September 17, will air on Sky Arts and Freeview at 9pm.
Chase history is made
HISTORY was made on The Chase last night when contestants won the show’s biggest ever prize pot.
Quizzers Karen and Ian snatched £100,000 from Paul Sinha aka The Sinnerman with just one second to spare in a nail-biting final round.
Ramping up the pressure before the pair’s quick-fire questions, host Bradley Walsh said: “It’s been a winning score before, so we’ve just got to pray now.”
The victory was made possible when brainbox Paul answered a question incorrectly.
Previous top players since The Chase launched 15 years ago was Dan, who beat The Vixen aka Jenny Ryan to win £80,000 in August 2022, and Eden, who thrashed The Menace Darragh Ennis to win £75,000 in August 2021.