Highly-anticipated BBC drama based on "truly exceptional" novel lands first look with Ludwig star

First-look images for the upcoming BBC drama Open Water give viewers a glimpse of the starry cast in character. The eight-part drama, set to air on BBC One and iPlayer, is based on Caleb Azumah Nelson's acclaimed debut novel of the same name.

The show stars Industry and Ted Lasso's Toheeb Jimoh as Marcus and Ludwig's Dujonna Gift as Effie, Open Water's leads.

A synopsis teases: "Marcus works in retail while trying to develop a career as a photographer. Effie is studying dance at university in Dublin. From the moment they meet, they feel an immediate, undeniable connection.

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"But, as Marcus soon learns, Effie is in a relationship with Marcus’ friend Samuel. It’s a boundary that Marcus is unwilling to cross. A shared project, photographing and documenting Black creatives in London, draws them into each other’s orbit, but can their burgeoning friendship resist the pull of desire?

"They seem destined for each other, their crush evolving into a love that is ocean deep. But love is never enough, and their path towards one another is treacherous. Will they sink or swim in open water?"

The cast is rounded out by Lockwood & Co's Rhianna Dorris, The Tower's Lamar Waves, Random's Nadine Marshall, Henrietta Pearl Quartey, Top Boy's Hope Ikpoku Jnr, Boarders' Sekou Diaby, Death in Paradise's Tara Tijani, How To Have Sex's Enva Lewis, and Death of Ivan Ilyich's Nash Nørgaard.

Also set to appear are Boiling Point's Stevie Odu, Call The Midwife's Renee Bailey, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' Jayden Fowora Knight, The Queen’s Gambit's Janina Elkin, Bridgerton's Sherise Blackman, Coronation Street's Matthew Dunster, G'wed's Neve McDonnell, Javier Bonaparte, Stolen Dreams Redemption's Beaux Bryant, and The Diplomat's Mo Sesay.

Nelson is attached as lead writer and director, while also serving as executive producer.

The novel was the winner of the Costa First Novel Award in 2021 and Debut Novel of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2022.

Booklist hailed it a "truly exceptional debut novel," while Observer said it was "a tender and touching love story, beautifully told".

In their review, The New York Times said it was "an unforgettable debut" and "Sally Rooney meets Michaela Coel meets Teju Cole."

Open Water will air on BBC One and iPlayer in 2027.

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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more. Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club. LinkedIn