Hard Sun
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| Hard Sun | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by | Neil Cross |
| Written by | Neil Cross |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Neil Davidge |
| Countries of origin | United Kingdom United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Hugh Warren |
| Cinematography | Si Bell David Luther Christopher Ross |
| Running time | 54–56 minutes |
| Production company | Euston Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One (UK) Hulu (US) |
| Release | 6 January – 10 February 2018 |
Hard Sun is a pre-apocalyptic British crime drama television series, created and written by Neil Cross, starring Agyness Deyn and Jim Sturgess as the principal characters, DI Elaine Renko and DCI Charlie Hicks. The series is a BBC co-production with the American streaming service Hulu.[1][2]
The series contains six episodes. It premiered on BBC One on 6 January 2018, with all six episodes subsequently available on the same day via BBC iPlayer. The series premiered on Hulu in the United States on 7 March 2018.[3][4] The series has also been acquired by the Seven Network in Australia,[5] ZDF in Germany[6] and SVT in Sweden.[7] The series was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 19 February 2018.[8] The show was inspired by the David Bowie song "Five Years".[9]
Writer Neil Cross has since expressed his wish to continue the series beyond its first run, claiming he has sketched out a potential five-year story arc.[10] It was cancelled after one season.[11]
Premise
[edit]Hard Sun is a pre-apocalyptic crime drama set in contemporary London. The protagonists are two mismatched police officers, Charlie Hicks and Elaine Renko, who stumble upon proof that a mysterious cosmic event will destroy the earth in five years, a fact the government is trying to keep secret to avoid complete anarchy. The duo is pursued by MI5 operatives who are trying to silence them for good.[12]
Cast and characters
[edit]- Jim Sturgess as Detective Chief Inspector Charlie Hicks
- Agyness Deyn as Detective Inspector Elaine Renko
- Nikki Amuka-Bird as Grace Morrigan
- Owain Arthur as Detective Sergeant Keith Greener
- Lorraine Burroughs as Simone Hicks
- Richard Coyle as Thom Blackwood
- Dermot Crowley as Father Dennis Chapman
- Varada Sethu as Detective Sergeant Mishal Ali
- Jojo Macari as Daniel Renko
- Adrian Rawlins as Detective Sergeant George Mooney
- Derek Riddell as Detective Chief Superintendent Roland Bell
- Ukweli Roach as Will Benedetti
- Joplin Sibtain as Detective Sergeant Herbie Sarafian
- Aisling Bea as Mari Butler
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]Reviews for the first season were mixed. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a 50% approval rating with an average rating of 6.46 out of 10, based on 30 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Hard Sun's heady mix of narrative and visual flourishes buckle under a surfeit of clichés that ultimately weigh it down and leave the show a muddled mess."[13] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 46 out of 100 based on 9 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[14]
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Sun, The Moon, The Truth" | Brian Kirk | Neil Cross | 6 January 2018 |
| 2 | "One Thousand, Eight Hundred Days" | Brian Kirk | Neil Cross | 13 January 2018 |
| 3 | "Luke 21:25" | Nick Rowland | Neil Cross | 20 January 2018 |
| 4 | "Can You Hear Him Now?" | Nick Rowland | Neil Cross | 27 January 2018 |
| 5 | "Not the End of the World" | Richard Senior | Neil Cross | 3 February 2018 |
| 6 | "Sun Day" | Richard Senior | Neil Cross | 10 February 2018 |
References
[edit]- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (6 January 2017). "Hulu Teams With BBC For Neil Cross Crime Series 'Hard Sun', Jim Sturgess & Agyness Deyn To Star". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Whitbrook, James (9 February 2018). "In the First Trailer for Hard Sun, Law and Order Crumbles in the Face of the Apocalypse". Gizmodo. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (14 November 2017). "Hulu Sets Premiere Dates For 'Handmaid's Tale', 'The Path' & Two New Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ^ "BBC Programming". BBC. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- ^ Knox, David (13 December 2017). "Seven picks up UK drama Hard Sun". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ Clarke, Stewart (10 October 2017). "Germany's ZDF Boards 'Hard Sun,' New Series for BBC and Hulu From 'Luther' Creator".
- ^ Sweden, Sveriges Television AB, Stockholm, Hard sun - Avsnitt 1 (in Swedish), archived from the original on 9 March 2018, retrieved 8 March 2018
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Hard Sun". 23 March 2018 – via Amazon.
- ^ "'Hard Sun': How David Bowie Inspired Hulu's Apocalypse Drama". The Wrap. 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Is Hard Sun getting a second series? Creator Neil Cross is planning 5".
- ^ Harrison, Ellie (15 August 2018). "Hard Sun dropped by BBC after one series". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
- ^ Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper; 06/01/2018; p. 9
- ^ "Hard Sun: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
- ^ "Hard Sun : Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
External links
[edit]- Hard Sun at BBC Online
- Hard Sun at IMDb
Hard Sun
View on GrokipediaProduction
Development
Hard Sun was conceived by Neil Cross, the British writer known for creating the psychological crime drama Luther, as a fusion of detective procedural elements with pre-apocalyptic themes set in contemporary London.[9] Cross drew upon his established expertise in crafting intense character-driven stories involving moral ambiguity and institutional corruption, extending these motifs into a scenario of impending global catastrophe.[10] The series concept emphasized two conflicting detectives navigating criminal investigations amid suppressed knowledge of humanity's doom, reflecting Cross's interest in exploring human behavior under existential pressure without immediate supernatural resolution.[11] The BBC One controller at the time, Charlotte Moore, greenlit the project on December 3, 2015, commissioning a six-part, hour-long series produced by Euston Films, the company behind Luther.[9][10] Cross served as the sole writer for all episodes, maintaining tight creative control to integrate procedural realism with speculative doomsday elements inspired by real-world anxieties over scientific warnings and governmental opacity.[11] This development phase prioritized a grounded tone, avoiding overt science fiction tropes in favor of psychological tension derived from Cross's prior works, where protagonists confront systemic failures and personal demons.[10] Initial scripting occurred in the mid-2010s, with production announcements building toward a 2018 premiere, though the core narrative framework was established early to align with BBC's ambition for bold, relevant drama.[9] Influences included Cross's affinity for narratives blending urban crime with broader societal collapse, echoing conspiracy-laden end-times fiction but rooted in empirical skepticism toward official narratives.[11] The commissioning decision highlighted the BBC's strategy to leverage Cross's track record for high-stakes thrillers, positioning Hard Sun as an evolution of Luther's format into speculative territory.[10]Casting
In January 2017, the BBC announced the casting of Jim Sturgess as Detective Chief Inspector Charlie Hicks and Agyness Deyn as Detective Inspector Elaine Renko, the central mismatched detective duo compelled to collaborate amid conflicting personal and professional outlooks.[12][13] Sturgess, whose film credits included leads in One Day (2011) and The Way Back (2010), was chosen for his ability to convey internal moral struggles in high-stakes narratives.[12] Deyn, transitioning from modeling and film roles such as Chris Guthrie in Sunset Song (2015), secured her first television lead, selected to embody a resilient yet isolated officer dynamic that complemented Sturgess's portrayal of institutional loyalty versus individual ethics.[14] Creator Neil Cross described the casting as a deliberate process to capture the inherent tension between partners positioned as adversaries, emphasizing actors who could sustain the series' blend of procedural grit and ideological friction.[15] Supporting roles featured Nikki Amuka-Bird as MI5's Grace Morrigan, building on her procedural experience including DCI Erin Gray in Luther (2011–2019) and roles in Survivors (2008–2010).[16] Derek Riddell portrayed Detective Chief Superintendent Roland Bell, drawing from his television work in No Angels (2004–2006) and guest appearances in Doctor Who.[17] Additional ensemble members included Jojo Macari as Daniel Renko and Owain Arthur in recurring capacities, rounded out by performers like Varada Sethu and Ukweli Roach to populate the law enforcement and conspiracy elements.[12]Filming
Principal photography for Hard Sun occurred throughout 2017, with the majority of scenes shot in London to ground the pre-apocalyptic narrative in a recognizable yet gritty urban environment suggestive of impending societal breakdown. Key locations included the disused Highgate Overground station and its adjoining tunnels, which lent an authentic air of abandonment and isolation to sequences depicting urban decay.[18] Additional London sites encompassed the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate on Rowley Way in Camden, utilized for the series' opening murder scene, and Shepherd's Bush Green in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, capturing everyday street-level realism amid the dystopian undertones.[19] Filming extended beyond the capital to Wales, where exterior shots were captured at Parys Mountain, a disused copper mine quarry near Amlwch in Anglesey; however, certain sequences from this location were excised during editing.[20][21] Post-production followed principal photography, enabling the six-episode series to debut on BBC One on January 6, 2018, with all episodes available simultaneously on BBC iPlayer.[20] The choice of real-world derelict and industrial sites over extensive set construction emphasized cost efficiency and visual authenticity in portraying a world on the brink.[18]Premise and setting
Synopsis
Hard Sun centers on Detectives Charlie Hicks and Elaine Renko, two London police officers with clashing ideologies, who stumble upon classified information revealing that the sun's escalating instability will destroy Earth within five years.[22] [3] This discovery, initially tied to a routine investigation into a hacker's death, exposes a government-orchestrated cover-up aimed at preserving social stability in the interim.[23] Set in a near-future version of contemporary London, the narrative framework interweaves standard criminal investigations—such as murders and corruption cases—with the creeping realization of global catastrophe, forcing the protagonists into an uneasy alliance to navigate both threats.[8] [24] As fragments of the truth leak, the series portrays mounting societal tensions, including opportunistic crimes and institutional breakdowns, without delving into isolated per-episode events.[3] The six-episode structure forms a serialized arc that escalates from procedural policing to broader confrontations with authority and human nature under existential pressure, emphasizing the detectives' dual mandate to uphold the law while safeguarding their families.[25] [26]World-building elements
In the series, the central world-building element is the "Hard Sun" phenomenon, a classified extinction-level event forecasting the sun's premature death within five years, rendering Earth uninhabitable as it burns with intensified heat that extinguishes all life.[27] [28] This event draws on pseudoscientific depictions of solar instability, including massive coronal mass ejections and flares that overwhelm Earth's magnetic field, leading to atmospheric degradation and systemic failures, though exaggerated beyond established astrophysics for dramatic effect.[29] Set against a 2018 London backdrop blending ancient stone architecture with contemporary digital infrastructure, the fictional universe emphasizes institutional secrecy to avert mass panic, with government agencies designating the intelligence as "Hard Sun" and deploying surveillance networks to contain leaks propagated via everyday devices like USB drives.[28] As awareness fragments disseminate, societal undercurrents shift toward breakdown, manifesting in heightened criminality, fanaticism, and proto-chaos grounded in human tendencies toward denial and opportunism under existential duress.[27] [28] Real-world technologies integrate seamlessly to underscore realism, including hacktivist-style data breaches and pervasive monitoring systems that exacerbate paranoia in a pre-apocalyptic stasis, where routine policing intersects with suppressed foreknowledge of grid failures, communication blackouts, and resource scarcities.[29] Potential ripple effects, such as nuclear facility risks from power disruptions akin to historical solar events like the 1859 Carrington Event, amplify the tension without immediate cataclysm, reflecting causal chains of technological interdependence.[29]Cast and characters
Main characters
DI Elaine Renko, portrayed by Agyness Deyn, is depicted as a highly intelligent and morally uncompromising detective inspector in the Metropolitan Police.[17] Her character embodies absolute integrity, refusing bribes or rule-bending despite personal hardships, including a near-fatal incident involving her son eight months prior to the series' events.[30] Renko's no-nonsense demeanor stems from deep emotional damage, rendering her difficult but incorruptible, as contrasted by series creator Neil Cross who describes her as "lonely and damaged."[5] Deyn's performance highlights this moral steadfastness amid psychological strain, emphasizing Renko's principled approach to policing in a crumbling world.[31] DCI Charlie Hicks, played by Jim Sturgess, serves as Renko's partner and represents a stark counterpoint through his profound corruption within the force.[32] Ostensibly a charming family man with a wife, young daughter, and another child expected, Hicks maintains a facade of balance while engaging in systemic graft far beyond minor infractions, potentially marking him as one of the Metropolitan Police's most compromised officers.[32] His backstory includes moral compromises such as infidelity and past violence against colleagues, underscoring a pragmatic cynicism that prioritizes self-interest.[33] Sturgess conveys this duality, portraying Hicks as outwardly committed yet inwardly self-serving, which amplifies the character's ethical ambiguity.[34] The partnership between Renko and Hicks evolves from mutual distrust—fueled by her incorruptibility clashing with his pragmatism—into a reluctant alliance necessitated by shared discoveries.[35] Their opposing traits, as outlined by Cross, create tension: Hicks's warmth masks corruption, while Renko's isolation reinforces her principles, forcing collaborative navigation of moral gray areas without resolving their core incompatibilities.[5] This dynamic highlights psychological depth, with both actors delivering nuanced interpretations of compromised humanity under existential pressure.[31]Supporting characters
Grace Morrigan, portrayed by Nikki Amuka-Bird, serves as a high-ranking intelligence operative tasked with containing knowledge of the impending solar catastrophe known as Hard Sun.[32] Her actions emphasize individual ruthlessness in pursuit of operational goals, including manipulation and lethal measures to suppress leaks, thereby heightening tensions between law enforcement and covert agencies.[17] This character's agency underscores themes of betrayal through institutional self-preservation over public welfare.[32] DCS Roland Bell, played by Derek Riddell, is the detectives' superior officer driven by a personal vendetta to prosecute Charlie Hicks for murder and related corruption.[32] His relentless investigation into departmental misconduct introduces internal conflicts within the police force, illustrating survival instincts clashing with professional duty amid escalating chaos.[17] Bell's focus on individual accountability rather than systemic reform highlights fractures in hierarchical loyalty.[32] Daniel Renko, depicted by Jojo Macari, is DI Elaine Renko's estranged son, marked by severe mental health issues, substance abuse, and a history of violent acts including arson against his mother.[32] His vulnerability draws him into the central conspiracy, amplifying familial betrayals and the raw instincts for protection in a collapsing world.[17] This dynamic exposes the personal costs of the protagonists' involvement, prioritizing individual relational strains over broader societal narratives.[32] Other notable figures include Thom Blackwood (Richard Coyle), a deranged killer motivated by apocalyptic fervor, who escalates direct threats to the leads and embodies unchecked survival aggression.[17] Additionally, Mari Butler (Aisling Bea), entangled in an affair with Hicks and complicit in financial impropriety, complicates his family loyalties and personal moral compromises.[17] These peripherals drive narrative conflicts through opportunistic alliances and opportunistic betrayals, without overshadowing the primary detectives' arcs.[32]Episodes
Episode list
Hard Sun aired six untitled episodes on BBC One on Saturday evenings at 9:00 p.m. from 6 January to 10 February 2018, with all episodes available simultaneously on BBC iPlayer from the premiere date.[36] [37] The series premiered internationally on Hulu in the United States on 7 March 2018, releasing all episodes at once.[38] Each episode has a runtime of approximately 55–60 minutes.[8] The premiere episode attracted 3.4 million viewers in the UK, with subsequent episodes seeing a decline to around 1.8 million by the second week.[39]| No. | Directed by | Original air date | Logline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Kirk | 6 January 2018 | Unruly detective DCI Charlie Hicks grows suspicious of his new partner DI Elaine Renko during their initial joint investigation, which uncovers a world-altering secret.[40] |
| 2 | Brian Kirk | 13 January 2018 | Renko and Hicks pursue a serial killer amid escalating tensions from their shared knowledge of the impending apocalypse.[41] |
| 3 | Nick Rowland | 20 January 2018 | The detectives confront internal police corruption and external threats as the Hard Sun prophecy begins influencing public behavior. |
| 4 | Nick Rowland | 27 January 2018 | A personal vendetta intertwines with the apocalyptic cover-up, forcing Hicks and Renko to navigate family loyalties and professional duties.[42] |
| 5 | Richard Senior | 3 February 2018 | The murder of a doctor exposes a broader conspiracy linked to the end-of-world intelligence, testing the partners' alliance.[43] |
| 6 | Richard Senior | 10 February 2018 | An internet predator targets those embracing death in light of the prophecy, as Hicks and Renko race to contain the fallout.[43][44] |