2018 looks set to be a bumper year for Irish actor, Barry Ward (Rebellion, Maze, Pursuit). The Dublin native will star in two new Sky Original productions; 'Britannia' opposite David Morrissey, Zoe Wanamaker & Mackenzie Crook and 'Save Me' opposite Suranne Jones as her on-screen husband.
Written by Jez Butterworth (Spectre), 'Britannia' is an epic journey into the dark, wild and unruly world of Britain in 43AD. The Imperial Roman Army – determined and terrified in equal measure – has returned to crush the Celtic heart of ‘Britannia’, a mysterious land ruled by wild warrior women and powerful druids. The Celts are a fearsome tribe who will stop at nothing to protect their nation, beliefs and honour, and their most dangerous weapon is the Druids, a mystical tribe whose immortality, through links to a powerful, dark underworld, makes them a force unlike any the Romans have faced before.
Starring alongside Kelly Reilly, David Morrissey, Zoë Wanamaker and Mackenzie Crook, Barry plays Sawyer, a devoted dad of two whose world is turned upside down when the Romans arrive.
Barry will swap his Celtic robes to star opposite Suranne Jones (Scott & Bailey, Doctor Foster) as her self-made music promoter husband, also called Barry, in ‘Save Me’, from the makers of Line of Duty and also written by Lennie James.
‘Save Me’ is the story of an unlikely hero who embarks on a rocky road to redemption. Lennie James (The Walking Dead, Snatch) stars as Nelly, the life and soul of his local boozer: a charmer, a chancer, a fighter, a liar and, at his age, a man who should know better. But his life on a London council estate is about to take on a dramatic new purpose. Nelly’s 13-year-old daughter has gone missing and he has been accused of her abduction. They haven’t had contact in a decade, but now the only thing that matters is finding her.
As her mum, and Nelly's ex, Claire (Suranne Jones) begins to fall apart while Nelly is thrust on a journey towards becoming a better man and atoning for his troubled past.
Husband to Claire and adoptive father to Jody, Barry (Barry Ward) has the house, the car, the beautiful wife and the successful business but things get complicated when Nelly (Lennie James) shows up accusing Barry of being responsible for the disappearance of his daughter.
Save Me also stars Stephen Graham, Kerry Godliman and Jason Flemyng.
Commenting on his appearance in both Sky Atlantic projects, Barry Ward said: “As productions, both Britannia and Save Me are worlds apart but I’m immensely proud to have starred in both alongside a stellar star cast and I’m looking forward to seeing both on screen when they air on Sky Atlantic in the New Year.”
Sky Original Britannia will air on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW TV on 18th January while Sky Original Save Me will air on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW TV in February 2018 (exact TX date has yet to be confirmed).
'Britannia' will air on Sky Atlantic & streaming service NOW TV on 18 January.
'Save Me' will air on Sky Atlantic & streaming service NOW TV in February 2018