Keeley Hawes set to lead the cast of upcoming BBC One drama Crossfire

Keeley Hawes is set to star in new BBC One drama Crossfire.

The actress, 45, will lead the cast of the three-part series that has been created and written by Louise Doughty in her first original series for television in association with Buddy Club Productions.

Set on a luxury resort in the Canary Islands it follows the story of Keeley’s character Jo, who is on a dream holiday with her family and friends when shots ring out across the complex.

Gunmen, out for revenge, turn the slice of paradise into a terrifying heart-breaking hell.

A story of survival and resilience, Crossfire is an edge-of-your-seat nail-biting thriller yet also emotional, intimate and relatable.

With the unsuspecting holidaymakers and hotel staff forced to make monumental split-second life or death decisions, the consequences will linger long after the final shots are fired. 

Gunfire: Set on a luxury resort in the Canary Islands it follows the story of Keeley’s character Jo, who is on a dream holiday with her family and friends when shots ring out across the complex, (pictured in May 2019) 

Crossfire will also star Josette Simon, Anneika Rose, Lee Ingleby, Daniel Ryan, Vikash Bhai, Hugo Silva, Alba Brune, Shalisha James-Davis and Ariyon Bakare.

It will be directed by Tessa Hoffe and produced by Alex Mercer.

Keeley – whose previous credits include Line of Duty, It’s A Sin, Bodyguard and Finding Alice – said: ‘I’m so excited to be embarking on this brilliantly compelling and propulsive drama for the BBC, especially as it’s the third production for Buddy Club.

Grief: Keeley recently wrapped up filming on Finding Alice, where she stars as the titular character, a woman who is dealing with grief after her partner of 20 years dies 

‘Filming has already begun and we’re delighted to be collaborating with the team at Dancing Ledge Productions and Louise Doughty on her first original production for television.’

Louise added: ‘This is a drama about a group of ordinary people caught up in an extraordinary event – a gun attack on the hotel where they are staying. 

‘In extremity, each character is faced with a set of dilemmas: and at the heart of it is Jo, who booked the holiday and unknowingly put her family and friends – and herself – at risk. 

Talented: Keeley also starred as Valerie, the mother of Olly Alexander’s character on Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin

Well-know: She is also known for her role as Home Secretary Julia Montague in Bodyguard

‘I’m fascinated by the idea of how so-called ordinary people respond to intense pressure and I couldn’t be more excited to have written this drama for Dancing Ledge Productions and the BBC and to have the amazing Keeley Hawes in the star role.’

Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama said: ‘Louise’s scripts crackle with adrenaline, intrigue and secrets kept among a long-standing group of friends.

‘But amidst the action and emotion, Crossfire explores the consequences of the secrets we keep, the risks we take and the lies we tell to conceal them. This is a startling original piece of writing. 

‘We are thrilled to be working again with Louise and Dancing Ledge Productions, and to be welcoming back the unmissable Keeley Hawes to BBC One.’

Wow: Keeley Hawes is married to actor Matthew Macfadyen (Pictured at a Succession season 3 screening in October)