The first look at a new BBC thriller series that’s set in Lancashire and starring Jenna Coleman has been unveiled.
That’s right, the North West is set to be the star of the TV screen once again later this year.
And that’s because the BBC has released the first image and teased some details of a brand-new – and very highly-anticipated – crime drama series called The Jetty that’s set in a Lancashire seaside town, and starring local actress Jenna Coleman.
Described as being as much of a coming-of-age story as it is a detective thriller, The Jetty is set to ask the big questions “in the places that Me Too left behind”.
There’ll be questions about sexual morality, identity, and memory.
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A synopsis for the four-part series on the BBC website reads: “A fire tears through a holiday home in a scenic Lancashire lake town, and Detective Ember Manning must work out how it connects to a podcast journalist investigating a missing persons cold case, and an illicit ‘love’ triangle between a man in his twenties and two underage girls.
📸 Here's your first look image of @Jenna_Coleman_ in the highly anticipated new crime drama The Jetty!
"I can’t wait for everyone to meet this new heroine and to find out what’s lurking beneath the surface of The Jetty."
“But as Ember gets close to the truth, it threatens to destroy her life and forces her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about her past, present, and the town she’s always called home.”
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Blackpool-born actress Coleman stars as rookie detective Ember Manning, alongside Archie Renaux, Laura Marcus, Bo Bragason, Amelia Bullmore, Ruby Stokes, Tom Glynn-Carney, Weruche Opia, Matthew McNulty, Ralph Ineson, and more, all in supporting roles.
Speaking ahead of the new show airing later this year, the 37-year-old actress, who is probably best-known for her roles in Doctor Who, Victoria, Waterloo Road, commented: “Working with the BBC and Firebird Pictures on bringing the complex and enigmatic character of Ember Manning to life has been an incredible experience.
“I can’t wait for everyone to meet this new heroine, and to find out what’s lurking beneath the surface of The Jetty.”
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Filming has wrapped, and the series is expected to air later in 2024 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Featured Image – BBC
TV & Showbiz
Channel 4 needs adult virgins with ‘intimacy issues’ for next series of hit reality show
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before.
First hitting screens back in 2024 and having run for two successful seasons now, Virgin Island follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
Aitch wells up in trailer for inspiring Netflix documentary about Kilimanjaro charity climb
Danny Jones
Mancunian musician Aitch has shared a brand-new trailer for his upcoming Netflix documentary charting his inspiring charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tissues at the ready.
In case you missed it, the Manchester rapper took on the incredible challenge of summiting the highest peak in Africa last year, all on behalf of the Down’s Syndrome Association.
Sharing the first true glimpse at his moving mountain voyage, the Moston-born artist looks to reveal all in this candid chronicling of his fundraising feat.
Writing in the caption, the 26-year-old said: “Gracie, this is for you and the 40,000 other beautiful people just like you. Don’t Be Afraid!”
For anyone unaware of the context, a couple of years back, Aitch – Harrison James Armstrong, to give the Manc his full given name – announced that he would be embarking on the difficult journey that only 40-60% of trekkers ever successfully reach the top.
Beloved by upwards of 3.1 million followers across his various social media platforms, Grace has become a bit of a community icon and hero all of her own.
Here he is video calling her before his most recent challenge:
They have such a lovely bond.
The inspiration for the 2022 track ‘My G’ with Ed Sheeran on his debut album, Close to Home, the song itself also ended up serving as a significant fundraiser, going on to complete a skydive over Old Sarum airfield with his dad, Mike.
A few clips have been shared on Aitch’s YouTube channel since he first confirmed he would be taking on ‘Kili’, such as his altitude training and other glimpses behind the scenes, but until now, we’ve seen very little footage from the infamous trail itself.
Set to drop later this month, Aitch’s Kilimanjaro doc, entitled Don’t Be Afraid, is releasing on Netflix on Sunday, 26 July – which also just so happens to be ‘Manchester Day‘; we’ll be making sure we don’t miss either of them.
He’s not the only local lad taking on huge obstacles for a good cause.
Emily Sergeant -
19th January 2024 
