Martin Compston is worlds away from Line Of Duty in first look images from coming-of-age drama Mayflies
Martin Compson looked worlds away from his role as DI Steve Arnott in Line Of Duty as first look images of his new show Mayflies have been released.
The actor, 38, portrays the lead role of Jimmy in the BBC coming-of-age drama, based on author Andrew O’Hagan’s novel of the same name.
The show is descibed as an ‘intimate and devastating portrait of male friendship’ as two best friends are reunited by tragedy 30-years after the ‘climax of their youth.’
Show: Martin Compson (left) looked worlds away from his role as DI Steve Arnott in Line Of Duty as first look images of his new show Mayflies have been released (picturd with Tony Curran)
The newly released images show Martin alongside co-star Tony Curran – who plays Jimmy’s childhood friend Tully.
In one image they are sat alongside each other in a field while in another they are seated in an aiport as fellow characters Anna (Ashley Jensen) and Iona (Tracey Ifeachor) approach.
Set against the backdrop of 1980s Britain, Mayflies will see Martin portray one of two young men who forge a close bond over their shared love of music, film and rebellion.
Key cultural moments, among them Manchester’s burgeoning late ’80s and early ’90s indie scene, will be highlighted as the two friends make a shared vow to live life on their own individual terms.
Story: The actor, 38, portrays the lead role of Jimmy in the BBC coming-of-age drama, based on author Andrew O’Hagan’s novel of the same name
But three decades later their bond becomes strained when Jimmy’s old friend calls with some devastating news ‘that will test their friendship, love and loyalty to the limit’.
The show will also star Ashley Jensen – best known for her performances in Ricky Gervais comedies Extras and After Life – in a yet to be announced role, and will be developed by Scottish production company Synchronicity Films for the BBC.
A synopsis for the show reads: ‘Mayflies is a memorial to youth’s euphoria and to everyday tragedy. A tender goodbye to an old union, it discovers the joy and the costs of love.’
Speaking about the forthcoming TV adaptation, novelist Andrew O’Hagan said: ‘For a while now, I’ve admired the work of Synchronicity Films — Scottish in its bones and international in complexion — and it’s a thrill to see them bringing Mayflies to BBC One.
Plot: The show is descibed as an ‘intimate and devastating portrait of male frindship’ as two best friends are reunited by tragedy 30-years after the ‘climax of their youth’
‘The story is a very personal one to me, and it’s amazing to see the characters come to life in Andrea Gibb’s wonderful adaptation.
‘Director Peter Mackie Burns has a singular vision, and I look forward to seeing what he makes of the Ayrshire landscape and the emotional reality of this story.’
Further names joining the cast include Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk) as young Tully, Rian Gordon (Vigil) as young Jimmy, Elaine C Smith (Two Doors Down) as Barbara, Shauna Macdonald (The Descent) as Fiona, Cal MacAninch (Time) as Tibbs and Colin McCredie (River City) as Scott.
Mayflies will air on BBC One, BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer at a yet to be confirmed date in 2023.
Past roles: Martin is best known as the star of smash hit police drama Line Of Duty while Tony is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in his role as Bor Burison (right)
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