Tatau: Joe Layton and Theo Barklem-Biggs Join New BBC America Drama

BBC America has announced that Joe Layton (Father Brown) and Silk alum Theo Barklem-Biggs have joined upcoming drama Tatau, where they’ll be playing the two lead characters.

Richard De Croce, SVP Programming, BBC America, said: “Tatau is backed by a hugely talented group of partners and brings something totally new, vibrant and provocative to the channel’s upcoming programming slate. Tatau is definitely going to spice things up on BBC America.”

Created by Richard Zajdilic (EastEnders), Tatau follows twenty-something Londoners Kyle (Layton) and Budgie (Barklem-Biggs) as they travel to the Cook Islands. While snorkeling, they discover a corpse that ends up going missing, which begins their descent into a world of Maori myths, symbols, and hallucinatory visions. The series also stars Barry Atsma (Stricken), Shushila Takao (Evil Dead), Cian Elyse White (Far Cry 3), Temuera Morrison (Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones), and Rangimoana Taylor (Hook, Line and Sinker).

Tatau joins a growing lineup of original scripted series for BBC America that includes acclaimed thriller Orphan Black, paranormal noir Intruders, and docu-comedy Almost Royal. The network is also responsible for bringing the likes of Atlantis, In the Flesh, and The Musketeers to American shores.

Beginning production this month, Tatau is slated for a 2015 premiere.

Will you be watching Tatau? How do you think the show will fit in with the rest of BBC America’s scripted series? Are you excited to be exploring a culture that doesn’t get as much media exposure?