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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Christian Abbott

BBC's The Control Room: Cast of new thriller, release date and how to watch

The BBC is hedging its bets on The Control Room as it brings on board some major talent to produce the new thriller.

The producers behind Sherlock and Dracula are overseeing the series, which finally kicks off this week.

In the first trailer for the show, it reveals an intense and nail-biting series that will explore some intimately dark themes.

Shot and set in Glasgow, Iain De Caestecker is taking on the lead role.

After he was confirmed for the cast, he said: "The Control Room is one of the most exciting scripts I’ve ever read, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time so I’m thrilled to now be bringing it to life.

"I’ve always loved working with the BBC and am especially delighted to be filming alongside this fantastic cast and crew in my hometown of Glasgow.”

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the show’s premiere.

What is The Control Room about?

Iain called The Control Room "one of the most exciting scripts" he's ever read (BBC/Hartswood Films/Anne Binckebanck)

The Control Room follows the story of Gabe, an emergency call handler from Glasgow who receives one call that changes his life.

The official BBC synopsis reads: "A gripping new thriller set in Glasgow. The Control Room tells the story of Gabe (De Caestecker), an ordinary man who works as an emergency call handler for the Scottish Ambulance Service in Glasgow.

“His world is turned upside down when he receives a desperate life-and-death call from a woman who appears to know him. With Gabe under pressure to work out who she is, he makes a decision that threatens to have devastating consequences..."

Who is in the cast of The Control Room?

Sharon Rooney as DI Beck (BBC/Hartswood Films/Anne Binckebanck)

Iain De Caestecker leads the cast as Gabe, the emergency call handler.

He is best known for his role in Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD where he played Leo Fitz, but a much younger Iain also appeared in Coronation Street as Adam Barlow.

Joining him is Joanna Vanderham as Sam, the mysterious woman who calls Gabe claiming to know him.

Joanna Vanderham stars as the mysterious Sam (BBC/Hartswood Films)

Just like her co-star, she has dabbled in the superhero world, playing Atropos in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.

She is also known for Warrior, Crime and Eddie & Sunny.

Rounding out the main cast is Stuart Bowman as Ian, Sharon Rooney as DI Beck, Daniel Portman as Anthony, Taj Atwal as Leigh and Conor McLeod as Ross.

What is the release date of The Control Room?

Taj Atwal plays Leigh in The Control Room (BBC/Hartswood Films/Anne Binckebanck)

The show will consist of three hour-length episodes, with all three running on consecutive nights from Saturday July 17 on BBC One.

This means the series will come to an end on Tuesday July 19, though there is a way to see all three earlier.

The entire show will be available as a box set on BBC iPlayer from July 17.

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