The character-driven drama, made by New Pictures and Company Pictures in association with Two Brothers Pictures and Playground, is due for transmission on BBC One in the UK and Starz in the US later this year.

Told using a fascinating narrative puzzle with twists and turns at every stage, The Missing follows Tony, played by James Nesbitt (The Hobbit trilogy, Jekyll) – a man who will do whatever it takes to find his missing child. When Oliver disappears on a holiday in France, Tony’s exhaustive search fractures his marriage to Emily, played by Frances O’Connor (Mr Selfridge, AI Artificial Intelligence), and threatens to destroy his life.

Julien, a French police detective played by Tcheky Karyo (Goldeneye, The Patriot), who launched the initial search for the child, also cannot shake the small belief that he may still be alive. This gripping relationship thriller is told simultaneously over two time frames and is set in two countries. Exploring the emotional cost of obsession, hope and finding when to let go, this thrilling new drama shows the impact of a child’s abduction.

Nesbitt, O’Connor and Karyo are joined by an international cast including Jason Flemyng (Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button) as Mark, Ken Stott (The Hobbit trilogy, Rebus) as Ian, Arsher Ali (Four Lions, The Guilty) as Malik and Titus De Voogd (Steve + Sky, Any Way The Wind Blows) as Bourg.

Other cast confirmed include Said Taghmaoui (Ziane), Emilie Dequenne (Laurence), Anamaria Marinca (Rini), Eric Godon (Georges), Anastasia Hille (Celia) and Johan Leysen (Sieg).

Charlie Pattinson, Executive Producer for New Pictures, says: “Harry and Jack Williams have created a wonderfully complex and mature emotional thriller and I am delighted that New Pictures’ first series highlights their work. It’s great that two writers who are new to long-form drama have attracted such an exciting, high-calibre cast.”

John Yorke, Managing Director of Company Pictures, says: “It’s rare to find a new take on the detective drama, so it’s a real pleasure to be involved with a project that both embraces the genre while finding incredibly exciting new ways to play with it. Great writing and a fantastic cast add up to something very special.”

Polly Hill, BBC Head of Independent Drama, says: “We are pleased to announce such an exciting cast that brings together the best of British and French actors, led by James Nesbitt, Frances O’Connor and Tcheky Karyo, in this powerful new drama for BBC One.”

Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of Starz, says: “The Missing is a powerful and poignant story about a father’s determination to find his missing child, and that is something any viewer can understand. The Williams’ scripts gripped us on every page, and we are glad to be working in partnership again with the BBC, Charlie Pattinson and Colin Callender on this very special project.”

Louise Pedersen, Managing Director of all3media international, says: “We (all3media international) are delighted to be representing New Pictures’ first venture, as well as building on our long-standing relationship with Company Pictures, for global rights on this prestigious commission. We are thrilled that we can build on our relationship with Starz, with their success and expertise in launching drama to American audiences, in this major co-production that features strong talent both on and behind the screen. We will be launching the show officially at MIPCOM and we are confident of other major presales in the near future.”

The executive producers are Charlie Pattinson, Willow Grylls and Elaine Pyke for New Pictures, John Yorke for Company Pictures (part of the all3media group), Harry and Jack Williams for Two Brothers Pictures, Polly Hill for the BBC, Colin Callender for Playground and Eurydice Gysel for Czar TV. Producer is Chris Clough. It was commissioned by Controller BBC One, Charlotte Moore and Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning. The Missing is co-produced with Fortis Film Fund, Czar TV Productions and VRT and is filmed with the support of the Belgium federal government’s Tax Shelter scheme.

More promotional pictures below

With thanks to BBC Pictures and BBC Media Centre