Fremantle, Groundswell Productions, Me + You Productions and De Maio Entertainment have announced a new collaboration with Channel 4 on an original drama series from award-winning writer and film director Victor Levin (Mad Men, Mad About You).
Alice & Jack stars Academy Award-nominated actress and producer Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie, Birdman) alongside actor, director, and screenwriter Domhnall Gleeson (Brooklyn, The Revenant), whose performance in The Patient earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Aisling Bea (Greatest Days, This Way Up), Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education, Living) and Sunil Patel (This Time with Alan Partridge, Stath Lets Flats) also feature in supporting roles.
Finnish film director and screenwriter Juho Kuosmanen, who co-wrote and directed 2021 Cannes Grand Prix co-winner Compartment 6, is the lead director and Hong Khaou (Lilting) directs the second block of the series. Alice & Jack is a Fremantle production in partnership with BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Me + You Productions (I Am Ruth, Close to You), Academy award-nominated Groundswell Productions (The Visitor) and De Maio Entertainment. Fremantle handles global sales.
Created and written by Levin, Alice & Jack is a love story for the ages. When Alice (Andrea Riseborough) and Jack (Domhnall Gleeson) first meet they’re bound by a connection so powerful it seems nothing can break it, but will their path lead them to a place of happiness and togetherness? Or will life and their own emotional complexities get in the way? Honest, intimate, and surprisingly funny, the series shows love in all its unexpected, technicolour, kaleidoscopic beauty.
Executive producers include Victor Levin, Andrea Riseborough, Domhnall Gleeson, Juho Kuosmanen, Richard Yee and Krishnendu Majumdar for Me + You Productions, Michael London and Shannon Gaulding for Groundswell, Lorenzo De Maio for De Maio Entertainment, Rebecca Dundon and Hilary Martin for Fremantle. Tracy O’Riordan produces for Me + You Productions.
Riseborough and Gleeson were directly involved with Groundswell in the development of the project. Me + You Productions was responsible for production and post-production in the UK, with filming having taken place in London, South East England and Gran Canaria in Summer 2022.
Nick Lee, Head of Acquisitions and International at Channel 4, said: “The intimacy of Alice & Jack makes it both heart-wrenching and unmissable in equal measure. The inventive producing partners, the expert performances and the overall creative energy has resulted in something quite special; we are delighted to be the UK partner at Channel 4.”
Andrea Riseborough*, said: “We unite in yearning to see evidence of real love, and, too, are soothed to share with one another the ache of its inevitable imperfection. This story is for anyone who could or couldn’t make the sacrifice that love demanded, for anyone who battles and accepts the one who makes their soul soar, for anyone who longs to feel, who has felt, and who feels the tingling anticipation of love’s joy.”
Domhnall Gleeson*, said: “The only work I’ve wanted to watch and do since the pandemic is work about connection and love, and work with a sense of humour. Alice and Jack keep coming back to each other because they can’t help themselves – they find in each other something that they don’t have on their own. I think they’re soulmates, I think it’s bigger than just the two of them. Their story centres on connection and love in the most beautiful way and reminds us that we are always allowed to smile – even if it’s through the tears.”
Victor Levin**, Creator & Writer, said: “Alice & Jack is a very personal story that I’ve been working on for as long as I’ve been a professional writer. It was inspired by the following questions – ‘Does love conquer all? Does love conquer some? Does love conquer occasionally? What does love conquer? What conquers love?’. I don’t have the answers, but I’m drawn to the hope that the things that bond us together are stronger than the ones that would tear us apart. I’m deeply indebted to the extraordinary team that brought the story to life both behind and in front of the cameras, especially Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson, who brought Alice & Jack to life with such tenderness, warmth and authenticity.”
Christian Vesper, CEO of Global Drama, Fremantle, commented: “Very rarely does a TV series pitch love and comedy in such a flawless combination. We’re both proud and humbled to be bringing such a smart and sophisticated drama from a team of world class creatives at the very top of their game. Working so closely with these partners of extraordinary value and extensive experience from the very inception of this project seemed the only way to embrace this new and exciting opportunity.”
Lorenzo De Maio, De Maio Entertainment, said: “This project is the result of a truly exceptional group of storytellers coming together, from Vic’s deeply touching scripts to the incredible producing team to Juho and Hong’s unique vision and the brilliant cast led by Andrea and Domhnall. We are very excited to be working with such a talented team to bring this beautiful love story to audiences worldwide.”
Richard Yee, Executive Producer, Me + You Productions, said: “From the moment I read the pilot script I was swept along by the beautiful unconventional magnetism of Alice & Jack. Vic Levin has created a series that’s funny, heart wrenching, and depicts the trials of love in all its messy unvarnished glory. Me + You Productions is thrilled to work with Fremantle and an outstanding cast and crew to bring the script to the screen and excited to be continuing our relationship with Channel 4.”
Michael London, Founder & CEO, Groundswell Productions, said: “Vic Levin’s Alice & Jack has been a dream project, an ode to true love at once passionate and prickly and full of the humour of real life. Groundswell is indebted to Andrea Riseborough, Domhnall Gleeson and Juho Kuosmanen for bringing the story to life so unforgettably and to our friends at Fremantle, Channel 4, Lorenzo De Maio and Me + You for all their hard work guiding the tone and the vision of such a singular project.”
Gleeson is repped by Paradigm and The Agency. Riseborough is repped by CAA, Independent Talent Group, Untitled Entertainment, and attorney Patti Felker.
*Quotes provided prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike
**Quote provided prior to the WGA strike
