A new psychological thriller series called Gone has been pre-sold to BritBox for viewers in the US and Canada. All3Media International made the deal, marking one of the standout sales from this year's London TV Screenings. George Kay, who created the show and also wrote hits like Hijack, Lupin, and The Long Shadow, leads the project. The six-part drama stars David Morrissey and Eve Myles. It tells the story of a school headmaster who becomes the main suspect when his wife goes missing. Deals like this one span four continents, showing strong early interest.
Key Takeaways
- Gone is a six-part ITV series written by George Kay, pre-sold to BritBox North America by All3Media.
- David Morrissey plays headmaster Michael Polly, suspected in wife Sarah's disappearance; Eve Myles is Detective Annie Cassidy.
- Filmed in Bristol, inspired partly by real detective work from Julie Mackay's book To Hunt a Killer.
- Set to air March 8, 2026, on ITVX, with global sales buzzing from London TV Screenings.
Background
George Kay knows how to craft tense stories that grab viewers. He's behind Hijack, the fast-paced Apple TV+ show with Idris Elba. Lupin became a global hit on Netflix, blending heist action with French flair. And The Long Shadow tackled the real Yorkshire Ripper case for ITV. Now he's back with Gone, another tale rooted in crime and suspicion. The idea draws from To Hunt a Killer, a book by Julie Mackay, a retired detective superintendent from Gloucestershire Police. Robert Murphy, an ITV crime reporter, helped shape it too. Both serve as consultants. That real-world touch adds grit. Kay teamed up with New Pictures, part of All3Media, and his own outfit, Observatory Pictures. Richard Laxton directs. He's done Mrs Wilson and The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe. Filming wrapped in Bristol. The city’s quiet streets and dark forests fit the mood perfectly. Production wrapped up smoothly. Now the focus shifts to sales. London TV Screenings put Gone front and center. Buyers from around the world snapped it up fast. All3Media International handled the deals. They moved quick on BritBox first. That's for the US and Canada. More sales followed across Europe, Asia, and beyond. It's a sign networks trust Kay's track record. ITV's Polly Hill greenlit it early. She saw the spark in Kay's script right away. The cast drew big names too. Morrissey brings depth from Sherwood and Britannia. Myles shines from Torchwood days and recent roles like The Crow Girl. Supporting players include Arthur Hughes, Jennifer Macbeth, and Clare Higgins. Each adds layers to the small-town feel. Bristol locations ground it all. No big sets needed. Real places make it hit home. And the story? It questions privilege and hidden truths. That's Kay's sweet spot. He's done it before with Litvinenko and Criminal. Viewers expect twists. They'll get them. But this one's fresh. A school setting ups the stakes. Everyone knows everyone. Secrets don't stay buried long. Pre-sales like BritBox show confidence. All3Media calls it a hot ticket. They showcased it hard at screenings. Star power sells. Morrissey's draw helped seal deals. Myles too. Her detective role promises sharp clashes. Kay's script sets up a cat-and-mouse game. Early buzz matches past hits. Hijack topped charts. Lupin won awards. Gone aims to follow suit. International appeal shines through. Four continents covered already. That's rare for unproven shows. But Kay's name carries weight. All3Media pushes premium drama. They know buyers want quality. BritBox fits right in. It craves British exports. Past deals like Dalziel and Pascoe worked well. This one's next. Screenings highlighted star-driven tales. Gone led the pack. Buyers saw the potential. Deals flowed in. Now it's set for March 2026. UK first on ITVX. Then worldwide rollout. Excitement builds. Fans of Kay's work wait eagerly. Others will discover it fresh.
Key Details
Gone centers on Michael Polly. David Morrissey plays him. He's headmaster at a top private school. Respected. Precise. Likes things in order. Then his wife Sarah vanishes. No trace. Police arrive. Enter Detective Annie Cassidy. Eve Myles brings her to life. She's smart. Tough. Doesn't back down. She spots cracks in Polly's story. Gut feeling drives her. Is he hiding something? Maybe murder? The series unfolds over six hours. Tension mounts. Interviews. Searches. Flashbacks. Bristol's forests loom large. Dark paths. Hidden spots. Perfect for secrets. The school adds pressure. Parents watch. Staff whisper. Community fractures. Annie pushes hard. Polly stays cool. No emotion shown. That fuels doubt. Her instincts scream foul play. But proof? Hard to find. Colleagues question her drive. She's overlooked often. This case changes that. Or tests her.
Cast and Crew Breakdown
Morrissey nails complex men. Think Sherwood's quiet rage. Here it's colder. Eve Myles thrives as fighters. Torchwood fans remember. She's intuitive here. Gutsy. Won't quit. Rest of the cast fills out the world. Elliot Cowan. Billy Barratt. Rupert Evans. Each has screen time. Jennifer Macbeth plays key support. Arthur Hughes too. Clare Higgins brings veteran weight. Director Richard Laxton knows pace. His BAFTA wins show. Producer Mark Hedges handled Hanna and The Rising. Execs include Willow Grylls from Des. Matt Sandford from The Long Shadow. All3Media ties it global. ITVX funds UK run. BritBox grabs North America. Sales span four continents. London Screenings sealed it. Buyers loved the sizzle reel. Atmospheric mystery. Six episodes. One hour each. Air date: March 8, 2026. That's firm. Streaming follows on ITVX. STV too in Scotland.
"I'm thrilled to be playing Detective Annie Cassidy in George Kay's brilliantly written drama Gone. Annie is a fascinating character, intuitive, gutsy and doesn't suffer fools, but she has met her match in Michael Polly who is a formidable adversary played by David Morrissey." – Eve Myles
Kay commented on the setup. He loves police stories with real roots. Privilege clashes with street smarts. Annie thinks truth's near. But is it? That's the hook. Filming in Bristol captured local feel. No gloss. Raw edges. All3Media handles exports. BritBox deal leads. More to come. Check out important's recent bid in studio battles for how sales heat up. Or Fremantle's game show push, showing format trends. And Ampere's TV insights from Mip London ties into screenings buzz.
What This Means
BritBox gets a win. British crime dramas pull viewers. Think Line of Duty success. Gone fits that mold. North American fans crave it. All3Media builds momentum. More deals likely. Kay's stock rises. Another hit cements his spot. ITV strengthens drama slate. Post-Long Shadow, this delivers. Global sales fund bigger budgets. Buyers bet safe on proven names. Screenings prove demand. Premium shows thrive. Streamers need content. BritBox fills gaps. US viewers miss UK air dates. Pre-sales bridge that. March 2026 nears. Marketing ramps up. Trailers soon. Cast promo tours. Morrissey and Myles draw crowds. Kay's past pulls old fans. New ones join via buzz. Bristol tourism might tick up. Film sites attract. Schools? Maybe not. Dark tale. But prestige holds. Consultants add cred. Mackay and Murphy ground it. No wild fiction. Real tactics shine. Annie's methods ring true. That hooks pros too. Networks eye formats. All3Media expands reach. Four continents now. Rest follow. Competition heats. Other screenings shows vie. But Gone leads. Star power. Kay's pen. Solid plot. It positions well. UK TV exports strong. Always have been. This boosts the run. Viewership numbers matter. Hijack topped. Lupin exploded. Gone chases that. Early sales predict success. ITVX streams wide. Global platforms pick up. All3Media profits. Partners too. New Pictures grows. Observatory Pictures too. Careers advance. Morrissey adds to resume. Myles breaks bigger. Laxton directs prime time. It's a chain reaction. Industry watches. Next Kay project? Speculation starts. But first, Gone. Deliver or not. Pressure's on. Viewers decide come March.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Gone TV series air?
The series premieres on March 8, 2026, on ITVX in the UK. BritBox will stream it later in the US and Canada.
Who stars in Gone?
David Morrissey leads as headmaster Michael Polly. Eve Myles plays Detective Annie Cassidy. The cast includes Arthur Hughes, Jennifer Macbeth, and Clare Higgins.
What is the plot of Gone?
A headmaster becomes the prime suspect after his wife disappears. Detective Annie Cassidy investigates amid rising suspicions in a Bristol community.
