Sky has unveiled Inheritance, a five-part limited thriller from writer Karla Crome (Carnival Row, Am I Being Unreasonable?), starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Surface), Jonny Lee Miller (Covenant), Sheldon Shepherd (Better Mus’ Come), and Bel Powley (The Morning Show). Directed by Storm Saulter (Sprinter), the series explores the lasting impacts of colonialism through a gripping, genre-blending story.
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The series, produced by Snowed-In Productions in association with Sky Studios, is set in both Bristol, U.K., and Jamaica. It follows Claudia (Mbatha-Raw), an ambitious young bi-racial lawyer, as she travels to Jamaica to challenge a contentious inheritance claim. The dispute arises between a local resident, Cudjoe East (Shepherd), and wealthy aristocrat Oliver Connaught (Miller). Claudia’s journey takes a dark turn when she encounters the estate at the heart of the claim: Hope Hill, the Connaught family’s plantation, which eerily mirrors her own recurring nightmares.
As Claudia and Oliver delve deeper, the series intertwines shadowy intrigue with the vibrancy of the Caribbean, uncovering connections between historical atrocities and modern-day inequalities.
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Alongside the lead cast, Inheritance also stars Nadean Rawlins (Bob Marley: One Love), Olunike Adeliyi (Mike), Sean Gilder (Mary & George), Richard Dillane (Wolf Hall), Diveen Henry (Manhunt), Jack Bandeira (Happy Valley), and Shantol Jackson (Yardie).
The project brings together a powerhouse team, with Karla Crome not only writing and creating the series but also serving as an executive producer. Storm Saulter helms the series as director, further cementing its deep connection to Jamaica’s cultural and historical context.
Executive producers include Ruth Kenley-Letts, Jenny van der Lande, Neil Blair, Sam Hoyle, Serena Thompson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Jonny Lee Miller. The development producer is Roxanne Harvey, and the series producer is Kate Ogborn.
Sky describes Inheritance as a “genre-bending series” that confronts the ongoing impact of colonialism while delivering a suspenseful, character-driven narrative.
Inheritance will premiere on Sky in the U.K. and Ireland, with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handling international sales. Production is set to begin soon, with the series poised to offer a unique and timely exploration of historical and present-day themes.