BBC2, BBC Scotland take new Guilt trip

Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives play brothers in Guilt

BBC2 and BBC Scotland have renewed their series about two disparate brothers, united by guilt when they accidentally run over and kill an old man on a darkened street.

Guilt will return for a second, four-part season on the UK pubcaster’s channels, having launched in 2019.

Written by Neil Forsyth (Eric, Ernie & Me, Bob Servant) and coproduced by Expectation and Happy Tramp North, the new 60-minute episodes will air in 2021.

Starring Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives, filming is expected to start in Scotland later this year, following government guidelines around coronavirus.

To date, the joint commission has been watched by more than three million people across the UK, with more than half-a-million of those in Scotland, and was one of the top three most requested BBC Scotland titles on BBC iPlayer, the BBC said.

The recommission comes after Forsyth launched a new production label, Tannadice Pictures, in partnership with All3Media-owned Objective Fiction last month.

Patrick Holland, controller of BBC2, said: “Neil Forsyth’s Guilt was a dark gem in last year’s schedules and I am delighted that the team is returning for a new series. It was a real treat to have Neil’s sharp writing and the wonderful performances, weaving a brilliant tale of lies, deception and skulduggery.”

Steve Carson, head of multi-platform commissioning at BBC Scotland, added: “Neil Forsyth’s ability to marry comedy and drama together and the brilliant cast that brought his scripts to life made for compelling viewing and made Guilt a must-see moment on TV and BBC iPlayer.”

The drama was ordered by controller of comedy commissioning Shane Allen, Carson and Holland.

The commissioning executives for the BBC will be Gregor Sharp and Gavin Smith and the indie executive producers will be Neil Webster for Happy Tramp North and Nerys Evans for Expectation. Guilt will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.