EXCLUSIVE: Award-winning stage actor Jos Vantyler and Niamh McCormack (Everything Now) are starring in an international action drama series the explores the dark side of detective work and artificial intelligence.
The pair will star in Cold Mind, an indie production from Algarve-based Spy Manor Productions that begins principal photography in Portugal next Monday (April 15). They’ll appear alongside Portuguese actors Joana Seixas (Lua Vermelha, Onde Está Elisa?) and Paulo Calatre (Madre Paula, The Last Bath).
The show follows a young detective from London (McCormack) who is thrown into a Portuguese murder investigation, as a spree of horrific killings take place in the sunbaked Algarve. At the same time, other timelines on another continent as the plots dips in the action, detective, tech and mystery genres.
McCormack is best known for her role in Netflix’s British comedy-drama Everything Now and The Witcher. She is represented by The Lisa Richards Agency. Vantyler is known for his portrayal of Rodolfo in Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge and appeared in plays such as Peggy For You, Huck, Prophecy, King Lear and The Tennessee Williams Season. On screen, he has starred in BBC telemovie The Secret Files. He is represented by Jonathan Arun Group.
Ross Jameson (Freefonix) is writing the show, with Simon Hunter (Edie) the director and showrunner, and Alex and Vanda Everke are the producers. Michael Riley, the veteran UK producer who runs Sterling Pictures, is the co-producer. Debbie Wiseman (Wolf Hall, Dickensian) has composed an original score and August Jakobsson (Game of Thrones, Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) is the cinematographer. Stuntman Vic Armstrong (James Bond franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark) is stunt designer.
“At its heart, Cold Mind is an exciting, intriguing, plot-twisting police crime drama,” said Hunter. “With multiple timelines unfolding on two continents, we are bringing fresh, topical and ground-breaking storylines to this well-loved genre.
“I am incredibly privileged to have engaged such a fresh and original cast to bring this show to life and know that their talent and dedication will captivate audiences around the world.”
Riley told Deadline the show is being financed through “a major private equity source with interests to build up the Portuguese film and TV industry over the next few years.” Talks with streamers over distribution are underway.
Producers say Cold Mind is intended as a crime drama franchise that will act as an advert for Portugal as a prime filming location for International production, and comes in the same month the country’s government introduced a 30% cash refund incentive program for high-budget film and TV productions filming in the country. Cold Mind‘s makers have applied for the rebate.
“At Spy Manor Productions we are thrilled to begin the journey creating the Cold Mind Universe, where technology and people learn how to co-exist,” said Vanda Everke. “Alongside a thrilling detective puzzle, we delve into the evolution of AI agents, mirroring the advancements in real-world technology, and gaze into the future to offer audiences an exciting, edge-of-your-seat and elegant detective thriller inspired by true events.”
Armstrong added: “I have worked in action movies my whole life and have been associated with cutting edge genres from the beginning, such as James Bond, Superman and the Indiana Jones trilogy through to Thor, Spiderman and many others. These franchises have been game-changers in the action and adventure genres. Now we have Cold Mind, which is a 21st century game-changer, delving into the whole new world of AI.
“AI is the thing everybody is frightened of, fascinated with, and excited by. Its futuristic realism and endless opportunities open the door to situations that have never been tapped before. I am extremely pleased to be associated with Spy Manor as stunt designer in this exciting new project, and the launch of a new genre.”