Anthony Boyle is set to lead the cast of Charmer, a seductive new Sky Original drama exploring trust, desire and modern relationships, with production now underway. The eight-part series comes from Working Title Television and Story Films and stars Boyle alongside Siena Kelly, Connor Swindells and Sophie Wilde. Elliot Hegarty, whose credits include Rivals, Ted Lasso and Bad Education, directs the series.
The official synopsis reads: “Charmer follows an ambitious group of thirty-something Londoners whose lives are turned upside down by Ryan (Anthony Boyle), a seducer-for-hire employed to test the fidelity of his wealthy clients’ partners. As a wedding day draws closer, an assignment becomes personal, threatening the professional distance that has always underpinned Ryan’s work. As deception gives way to desire, Ryan risks breaking the one rule that has always defined him: never fall in love.”
Boyle, whose recent credits include House of Guinness and The Altruists, stars as Ryan, with Siena Kelly (Black Mirror, Adult Material) playing Emily. Connor Swindells (Sex Education, SAS Rogue Heroes) appears as Max, with Sophie Wilde (Talk to Me, Everything Now) playing Cameron. The wider cast includes Sam Delich (Territory), Vivian Oparah (Rye Lane, Dead Hot), Neil Maskell (Utopia, Kill List), Karan Gill (I May Destroy You), Sophie Simnett (Daybreak, Poldark) and Polly Walker (Bridgerton, Rome).
Speaking about joining the series, Boyle described creator Thomas Aspell’s scripts as “heartfelt, funny and smart”, adding that he was excited for audiences to meet the characters. Charmer was created and written by Aspell, with Melissa Bubnic, Constance Cheng and Anna Ssemuyaba contributing additional episodes. Hegarty directs the first block, with Dionne Edwards taking over directing duties for block two.
The series is produced by Working Title Television, part of Universal Global Television, and Story Films in association with Universal Global Television and Sky Studios. Working Title Television’s recent credits include Too Much and the forthcoming Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, with Story Films previously behind The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe and Deceit.
For CultureCues, what makes Charmer particularly interesting is the morally messy territory it seems ready to explore around trust, desire and modern relationships, with plenty of scope for the characters to surprise us as those boundaries begin to blur. With Boyle, Kelly, Swindells and Wilde leading the cast and Rivals director Elliot Hegarty behind the camera, this is certainly one to watch from Sky’s upcoming drama slate.
Charmer will air on Sky and NOW in the UK, with a release date still to be announced.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.