Published: January 8, 2025 — County lines drug dealing and its escalating, insidious crime wave sweeping the British countryside is the subject of new six-part ITV and ITVX drama, Out There, starring Martin Clunes, as a farmer confronted with dark forces creeping into his rural community.

The drama depicts the surreptitious invasion of the land our farmer cherishes, with devastating consequences, as his livelihood, homestead and family life are threatened by local county lines drugs dealers: urban gangs using the British countryside as a field of operations, moving drugs and money between their inner-city hubs and provincial areas.

Martin Clunes plays Nathan Williams, a man who runs a farm which has been in his family for generations, caught in a numbing rhythm of work and grief following the death of his wife, Sabine, two years previously. A single parent to teenager Johnny, played by Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Nathan is uniquely placed and possesses enough pent-up energy to take on the gangs that threaten to engulf his son.

Consequently, he embarks on a personal journey that will take him ever further out of his comfort zone into a dark alternative world as he fights to protect his family, his homestead and his legacy. He’s missed all the clues that the country idyll around him has been fatally compromised, contaminated by waves of criminality spreading and mutating virus-like from the city.

Now Nathan must accept that the rustic atmosphere of his childhood is long gone, replaced by something altogether more perilous. And the only way for Nathan to survive in this brave new world is to learn the rules and fight back.

Out There also stars Mark Lewis Jones as Nathan’s brother Caleb Williams, Carly-Sophia Davies and Gerran Howell as sister and brother Sadie and Rhys, whose lives are embroiled in county lines crime, and Natalia Kostrzewa as Eva, a cleaner who is drawn into the fight against the dark forces.

ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill commissioned the series which will premiere on ITV1 and be available to stream on ITVX.

Commented Polly Hill:

“Out There is a brilliantly compelling drama, from the team behind Manhunt, where county lines become very real for a father and son already dealing with the modern challenges of running a farm. Martin Clunes is wonderful as Nathan, in a drama full of surprises, as he tries to navigate the best way to save his son, in a world he doesn’t understand.”

Written by screenwriter Ed Whitmore (Steeltown Murders, Grace, Manhunt, Silent Witness, Safe House) and director Marc Evans (Steeltown Murders, Manhunt, The Pembrokeshire Murders, Grav), and produced by Buffalo Pictures (Manhunt, Doc Martin, Arthur & George), the series is set in the beautiful Welsh countryside.

Commented Writer and Executive Producer Ed Whitmore:

“County lines is a particularly vicious and ruthless wave of drug dealing that uses fear and violence to coerce, often vulnerable, young people into working as runners and dealers. It has become a serious and rapidly increasing problem across the whole of the UK, so it felt like an important and timely story to tell.”

Welsh born director, who created and co-wrote the drama, Marc Evans commented:

“We were thrilled to have the support of Creative Wales to produce Out There in my home country. We were able to explore beautiful and rarely seen areas around the Black Mountains and to use local talent for our cast and crew.”

Out There is produced by Philippa Braithwaite (Doc Martin, Manhunt, Arthur & George) and Evie Bergson-Korn (Farewell Doc Martin, Doc Martin as Development Producer, Manhunt as Co-Producer) and directed by Marc Evans with Philippa Langdale directing the final two episodes of the series.

ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill is overseeing production from the channel’s perspective. The drama is executive produced by Ed Whitmore and Marc Evans.

Acclaimed screenwriter, Ed Whitmore, is known for his hugely successful writing career, including his work on Silent Witness and Waking The Dead and previous collaborations with Martin Clunes and Marc Evans. Ed wrote series one and two of BAFTA nominated drama, Manhunt, which also earned Marc Evans a BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Director.

The drama was produced in association with Creative Wales, and was filmed entirely on locations in Wales.

Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said:

“Out There showcases some of Wales’ stunning locations, and is yet another example of first-class drama being made in Wales and utilising Welsh talent at all levels. I’m pleased that the funding and support offered via Creative Wales helped to ensure the creation of 14 trainee opportunities on set, including one apprentice and four placements for trainees based in Mid Wales, and provided quality career opportunities for our workforce.”

Written by screenwriter Ed Whitmore (Steeltown Murders, Grace, Manhunt, Silent Witness, Safe House) and director Marc Evans (Steeltown Murders, Manhunt, The Pembrokeshire Murders, Grav)

The first episode airing at 9pm on Sunday 19th January on ITV1 and ITVX. The second episode will arrive on Monday 20th January at 9pm.