Danny Dyer to star in 'heart-stopping' Channel 4 thriller The Siege
Rivals actor Danny Dyer and Daddy Issues star David Morrissey are to appear in "heart-stopping, emotional" Channel 4 thriller The Siege, which is based on the real Iranian Embassy siege in London in 1980.
Danny Dyer is to star in "heart-stopping, emotional" Channel 4 thriller The Siege.
The Rivals actor will appear alongside David Morrissey and Motaz Malhees in the heart-in-mouth series, which is based on the real Iranian Embassy siege in London in 1980.
It saw six armed Arab Iranian separatists - campaigning for the sovereignty of the Khuzestan Province of Iran - burst into the Iranian embassy in London, taking hostage the 26 people inside, demanding autonomy for their people.
The siege lasted for six days, but ended with an SAS raid, known as Operation Nimrod.
Ian Katz, Chief Content Officer of Channel 4, said: "The Iranian embassy siege and the daring raid which ended it was an iconic moment that forged the ferocious reputation of the modern SAS.
"The show is a heart-stopping, emotional thriller that reveals the little-known motivations of the hapless hostage-takers and the very human reality of what went on inside the embassy as the world looked on and Britain's most lethal soldiers practiced their high stakes assault.
"It will change the way people understand the siege and reveal how close the famous SAS operation came to disaster."
The script has been adapted by Slow Horses creator Will Smith, from Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book The Siege, and the six-part series will be executive produced by Patrick Spence.
Ian said: "We're thrilled to be working with Will Smith, Ben Macintyre, Lewis Arnold, Patrick Spence and the remarkable cast. This major commission underlines Channel 4's commitment to dialling up exceptional drama in its slate of original British programming."
Alexandre Piel, Deputy Head of Drama, ARTE France, added: "The Siege is our first coproduction with UK, and we are truly honoured to be associated with Channel 4 on this fantastic project.
"Will Smith is a brilliant author; his adaptation of Ben Macintyre's novel masterfully blends a gripping thriller with the emotional depth of this tragic event.
"He made it an intense, moving, and funny story all at once.
"It has been wonderful to stand at Patrick Spence’s side in his adventure.
"It’s a unique opportunity, the one that allows you to witness the unfolding of a historical moment turning into disaster in front of the whole world.
"And we are also more than happy that this project enables us to have worked for the first time with the esteemed Channel 4 team."
According to The Sun newspaper, Danny will portray hero police officer Trevor Lock - who received the George Medal for his role in the siege - in the series.
