Show of the Week
A gripping new crime thriller from the award-winning team behind Manhunt. Martin Clunes delivers a powerhouse performance as a father forced to take justice into his own hands when his peaceful rural life and his teenage son are threatened by a dark criminal web.
Sally Habbershaw, EVP Americas, All3Media International, discusses ITV’s gritty six-part drama Out There, starring Martin Clunes.
Name of the show: Out There
What makes Out There unique?
Crime stories about drug smuggling are often set against gritty urban backdrops, but Out There takes a fresh approach, immersing viewers in a remote, rural farming landscape where a generation of teenagers face a bleak future. This creates the perfect opening for drug dealers to infiltrate and entangle local communities into a dark criminal web.
Out There is led by a transformative Martin Clunes. We’re used to seeing him on screen as the iconic comedic character Doc Martin, but here he a delivers a raw, emotionally charged performance as man who finds himself pushed to his limits to protect what he loves. He stars as Nathan, a devoted father who suddenly finds himself entwined in the dark undercurrents of his seemingly peaceful community. Soon he finds his quiet rural life uprooted by drug smuggling, surveillance and secrets. Rising star Louis Ashbourne Serkis (son of Andy Serkis) delivers a standout performance as Nathan’s son Johnny, authentically capturing raw teenage angst and vulnerability.
Who are the key creative forces behind the show?
Out There is brought to screen by a powerhouse creative team. Behind the camera, Marc Evans, director of Hinterland joins forces with Manhunt writer Ed Whitmore and Buffalo Pictures’ Philippa Braithwaite to bring this compelling, gritty drama to screen. On screen, Martin Clunes continues his bold transition into weightier dramatic roles, with his performance already earning widespread acclaim. The show also features an exceptional supporting cast, including multi-BAFTA nominated Gangs of London star Mark Lewis Jones as Nathan’s brother, alongside Serkis as Nathan’s teenage son, who unwittingly find themselves at the centre of a dark criminal web.
Who is the target audience for Out There?
Launching as a prime-time drama on ITV earlier this year, Out There is a must-watch for audiences who crave emotionally driven thrillers with real-world resonance. While it explores deeply personal dilemmas, Out There also offers a sharp critique of modern anxieties. The series is incredibly binge-worthy, with a gripping storyline and an ever-present sense of suspense that keeps viewers hooked.
Are there any distribution deals in place?
We’re currently engaged in exciting discussions across key territories. Stay tuned, more details will be revealed soon.
How does Out There complement your existing catalogue?
All3Media International’s slate showcases some of the very best of UK talent, and Martin Clunes has long been a staple of British television, from the beloved Doc Martin to his critically acclaimed turn in Manhunt. With Out There, he delivers an impressively raw performance, stepping into a world far darker and more perilous than his previous roles, but his commanding screen presence continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
Out There joins our slate of acclaimed British crime dramas and thrillers, which includes series like Steeltown Murders and Manhunt alongside more recent launches such as Joan. The distinct dramatic world of Out There, where tranquil rural life is disrupted by creeping criminal chaos sets this series apart as a unique scripted offering from our catalogue.
What shows might Out There be compared to or complement?
Much like Ozark, Out There explores the moral compromises and dangerous entanglements that come with trying to protect one’s family. Both series delve into the impact of criminality in a small, close-knit community, where danger lurks in unexpected places, and the cost of survival could be everything you care for.