Ian McElhinney and Kathy Kiera Clarke are among the stars who have joined the cast of 'Bloodlands'.

Ian McElhinney

Ian McElhinney

The 'Derry Girls' co-stars will appear alongside James Nesbitt - who will portray police detective Tom Brannick - in the new BBC crime drama.

It will follow the Northern Irish detective as he hunts a legendary assassin, known as Goliath, after he connects a suicide note to an infamous cold case with enormous personal significance.

Top Boy's Lisa Dwan has also joined the line-up, as have Charlene McKenna, Lola Petticrew, Chris Walley, Michael Smiley and Susan Lynch.

Additional cast members include Peter Ballance, Cara Kelly, Flora Montgomery and Asan N'Jie.

Line of Duty's Jed Mercurio will act as exec producer with Hat Trick Productions on the drama, created by new writer Chris Brandon.

Jed said: "HTM Television is honoured such a prestigious cast will bring to life Chris Brandon's thrilling, thought-provoking series Bloodlands."

Tommy Bulfin, BBC Commissioning Editor, Northern Ireland, added: "We're delighted that such an incredible cast, including some of Northern Ireland's finest acting talent, have come together for Bloodlands."

'Bloodlands' marks Asan's first role since being sacked from 'Emmerdale' after a heated bust-up with Jamie Lomas at the TV Choice Awards in September last year.

The former 'Mount Pleasant' star was suspended from the soap and apologised for his actions, before being let go and replaced by Aaron Anthony.

He said at the time: "I sincerely apologise to everybody who has been affected especially Jamie Lomas, the whole 'Emmerdale' team, our audience, ITV, my family, and the organisers of the TV Choice Awards.

"I am devastated, accept full responsibility for my actions and I am determined to learn from this."


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