Crime drama enthusiasts are in for a treat with a brand new series in the works. Production is currently under way at Sky on an adaptation of Glasgow noir thriller Meantime, penned by comedian-turned-author Frankie Boyle.
Plot and Cast
Meantime centres on drug addict Felix McAveety, portrayed by James McAvoy, who finds himself the prime suspect in the killing of his closest friends following their murders in a Glasgow park. Desperate to prove his innocence, Felix recruits a retired detective and current crime novelist, portrayed by Josette Simon, alongside a pal played by Jamie Michie to assist him.
Sky describes the series as: "Their search for the truth becomes an exhilarating and frequently laugh-out-loud race through the murkier edges of contemporary Scotland, as events rapidly spiral out of control around him."
The tale unfolds against the backdrop of the fallout from the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Filming Locations and Star Sightings
The Sky production is presently being filmed, with Atonement star McAvoy recently spotted near Customhouse Quay, Greenock. Celebrity Traitors favourite and Shetland and Line of Duty star Mark Bonnar was also observed on location during filming.
Alongside Bonnar and McAvoy, Meantime boasts a stellar cast including Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston, Benedict Wong from Marvel's Avengers series, EastEnders actress Laurie Brett, and Greg Hemphill, best known for Chewin' the Fat and Still Game. McAvoy's sister Joy McAvoy will also appear in the six-part series, having previously featured in The Wee Man, The Bench, and Filth — the latter of which also starred her brother.
Additional cast members include Outlander actress Shauna Macdonald, Janine Harouni, Shirley Henderson from the Harry Potter films, Trust Me's Emun Elliott, Martin Quinn, Jordan Young, Lois Chimimba, Michael Moreland, Hanna Stanbridge, Robin Laing, Kate Donnely, and Sex Education star George Robinson.
Writing and Release
As well as authoring the Sunday Times bestselling novel, Boyle also wrote the scripts for Meantime alongside Neil Webster. The series is scheduled to broadcast on Sky and streaming platform NOW in 2027.
Critical Acclaim for the Novel
The novel has already garnered considerable praise from readers. One person wrote in their five-star Goodreads review: "Meantime is beautiful in its harsh and brutal narrative. The writing is crystal clear, each word soaks into your skin like the bleak Scottish rain."
A second five-star review stated: "This is unlike any thriller you will ever read. The world that Boyle puts us in is both beautifully observed and at the same time exaggerated and otherworldly, bonkers is the right word." They concluded: "Highly recommend. 5 stars."
A third top-rated review declared: "Never a lull, and the momentum forever drives this bizarrely brilliant story forever forward. A hugely entertaining novel."
