The State Within

2/16/2007

WHAT THE AMERICAN PRESS SAID

...Brydon, whom Isaacs easily makes smolder -- especially when paired with Birthistle. To his credit, his heroic ambassador carries an emotional weight that extends beyond charisma and looks. ...SEATTLEPI

...As events behind the scenes devolve into chaos, it's left to one man -- our ambassador to Britain, Sir Mark Brydon (superb work from Jason Isaacs) -- to delicately quell escalating tensions that threaten to bring down the governments of several republics....REUTERS

..Running six hours without commercials (with a longer version for the U.S.), this production's greatest asset is star Jason Isaacs, playing the British ambassador to the U.S., Sir Mark Brydon. Suave and stern....

...With his piercing eyes and tough-guy charm, Isaacs is a compelling lead,... VARIETY

It's hard to believe someone as virile as actor Jason Isaacs started out playing wimps... NorthJersey.com

BBC's thriller is 'State' of the art ...NYDailyNews

BBC America spy thriller hits close to home
Even less realistic are the hands-on heroics demonstrated by the British ambassador. Sir Mark isn't just handsome; he'll jump from his chauffeured vehicle attempt to rescue airplane crash victims himself. . . . Isaacs is riveting as the ambassador with a sense of moral outrage, all the more so because he's usually seen playing the villain... DenverPost.com

Two British films to watch
EVIL'S AFTERMATH IS AT THE CENTER OF HBO'S `LONGFORD,' BBC'S `STATE WITHIN'
Jason Isaacs (Showtime's ``Brotherhood'' and Lucius Malfoy in the ``Harry Potter'' films) is terrific as Brydon... MercuryNews.com

'The State Within,'
Brits' thinking '24'
But despite those shortcomings, the series proves to be compelling television, anchored in the anxiety of believable threats and fortified by quality work from a strong cast, especially lead actor, Jason Isaacs, who knows the difference between playing a hero and a superhero.

But the real star of the series is Isaacs. He’s proven he can play dark characters, like the vicious, small-time Boston mobster in the Showtime series “Brotherhood.”

But here he does something very different. His Mark Brydon is an ambitious man, a rising political star, who over the years has let expediency replace conscience as he moved up in the diplomatic corps.

Only now, in a moment of personal and political crisis, is he rediscovering that conscience. Isaacs makes that transition convincing, even poignant, especially amid all the chaos of the larger story. ...Medialifemagazine.com

exquisite television drama....Sir Mark Brydon (superb work from Jason Isaacs) ......Hollywood Reporter

....and Isaacs, with his piercing eyes and reserve, is a great lead.....Boston.com

Sir Mark Brydon (Brotherhood's Jason Isaacs), a rakishly handsome British Ambassador with Paul Newman blue eyes.

Isaacs is also terrific as an ambassador who finds himself being manipulated by sinister government players in a deadly plot that could destroy both the U.K. and U.S. governments.......PalmBeachPost.com

Jason Isaacs, an exceptionally good actor best known on these shores for his acclaimed work in Showtime's "Brotherhood," plays British Ambassador Sir Mark Brydon, a rising politician who many in his home country believe is destined to be prime minister at some point. He's blunt, Brit tactful and not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get physical. It's a compelling combination that makes him instantly likable and keeps your eyes glued to him..........And the way the miniseries weaves Brydon into everything is ingenious (and it allows Isaacs to be a triple threat of savvy diplomat, unexpected action hero and sexual attraction; this being an espionage thriller, there has to be sex)......San Francisco Chronicle

2/11/2007

WHAT THE BRITISH PRESS SAID

"A British thriller, American-style: glamorous cast...flashy camerawork, and it's even set in Washington...Does this work? Emphatically, yes... Episode two can't come soon enough."
The Daily Mail

"Don't miss The State Within. The best of both worlds in this new miniseries: a breakneck pace, and rewarding complexity. Set in a world of political power-broking and starring Jason Isaacs, this finds conspiracy and intrigue at every turn."
The Guardian

"...one of the most addictive, believable and intelligently scripted dramas for years... It's hard to say too much about The State Within without giving away the plot twists, but suffice to say that some of us won't be moving from our television screens for the next six weeks."
The Observer

"It's shock and awe from the first frames in a transatlantic political thriller steeped in terror plots, sex and secrets... this racy, pacey six-part thriller should be a smash hit."
The Daily Mirror

"A cracking conspiracy thriller."
Sunday Mail

"This new conspiracy thriller has an all-action explosive beginning, but it soon becomes clear that it's going to be one of those multi-stranded dramas that requires you to engage your brain to enjoy it fully... A spider's web of plots is set up... it's tense, intriguing and complex..."
The Daily Mail

11/10/2006

Added pics from the Promo HERE

10/26/2006

The State Within Trail 1

The State Within Trail 2

10/20/2006

The Official Website is live HERE .

Episode one will premiere on BBC One on Nov 2nd.

10/15/2006

Interview from Telegraph.co.uk about his role in The State Within

10/12/2006

"A Wizard Ambassador" article from Manchester Evening News

10/12/2006

Article from The Sun Online "BBC drama fuels terror fears"

By DEREK ROBINS
October 12, 2006

A BBC1 thriller caused real panic when scenes featuring the terrorist bombing of a jet which crashed on a freeway were shot near

Toronto Airport.

Jason Isaacs, star of The State Within, said: “It must have been very distressing for people driving to the airport to see a burning,

blown-up plane, hundreds of upturned wrecked cars and hundreds of people covered in blood and gore.

“I think there was a lot of panic with people ringing 911 – the equivalent of 999 – to check what was going on.

“They had to be reassured that it was a film set but there weren’t any warning signs to tell them this.

“I did feel for those people but my four-year-old daughter Lily who was on the set didn’t bat an eyelid when she saw me

filming a scene when I failed to rescue a bloodied woman trapped in a car.

“She’s more terrified of cartoons like when the sharks chase Nemo.”

The new six-parter, to be screened at the end of October, stars Jason as a British ambassador in Washington caught in the

crossfire of a downturn in US/UK relations.

The action begins when a British Muslim is blamed for blowing up a jet over Washington.

It also features ex-Cagney And Lacey favourite Sharon Gless.

8/16/2006

First Look (thanks to Gillian)

04/26/2006

BBC lines up thriller

Press Releases.
State Within, new conspiracy thriller for BBC ONE
"Jason Isaacs, Sharon Gless, Lennie James and Eva Birthistle star in State Within, a new conspiracy thriller for BBC ONE.

Lizzie Mickery and Dan Percival's (Dirty War) new tightly-plotted conspiracy thriller, State Within, is set in the diplomatic worlds of Britain and the U.S. The show is due to broadcast on BBC ONE later this year.

The new six-part series takes place over 17 days in the life of the British Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador to Washington is the pinnacle of success in the Foreign Office.

Only the brightest and best succeed to this post, however, Mark Brydon (Jason Isaacs) soon finds he is tested to the limits of his foreign diplomacy skills as he grapples with a world of tangled relationships and conflicting interests following a major diplomatic incident.

But in a world of high stakes where manipulation of information means ultimate power – who can Brydon trust?

Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning said: "State Within is a high octane, complex, action-packed conspiracy thriller.

"Strongly authored by Lizzie and Dan these distinctive and intelligent scripts aim to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, and is further evidence of the ambition, modernity and bravura of drama on BBC ONE."

The cast also includes Sharon Gless as Lynne Warner, US Secretary of Defence; Ben Daniels as Nicholas Brocklehurst, Eva Birthistle as Jane Lavery, a human rights lawyer assigned to Luke Gardner (Lennie James), a British paratrooper, awaiting execution on Death Row in Florida.

Neil Pearson plays Phil Lonsdale; Alex Jennings plays James Sinclair; Rahnuma Panthaky as Nasreen Qureshi; Genevieve O'Reilly as Caroline Hanley and Noam Jenkins plays Christopher Styles.

Writers Dan Percival and Lizzie Mickery said:"o you believe what your leaders tell you? Behind the doors in the corridors of power a terrifying plot is being forged.

"Trust no one. Truth and lies are sacrificed for expediency. Beneath the public mask of Ambassador, Mark the man finds himself torn between his duty and his conscience."

A cat's cradle of tangled relationships and conflicting interests links the cast of characters through six hours of twists and turns as Ambassador Brydon (Jason Isaacs) slowly realises that he is being played by an invisible puppeteer.

With no one to trust he cannot even begin to imagine where the conspiracy ends.

Kathryn Mitchell, Controller BBC America, said: "With a great crossover plot involving the diplomatic worlds of America and Britain, I knew BBC America had to be involved in State Within.

"As co-producer, I'm very excited by the edgy, contemporary and politically topical storylines - it will translate perfectly for our American viewers."

Filming in Canada until July, State Within is a co-production with BBC America.

Producer is Grainne Marmion. Directors are Michael Offer (Episodes 1, 2 & 3) and Dan Percival (episodes 4, 5 & 6). Executive Producer is Jessica Pope.

AF

Category: TV Drama; BBC ONE

Date: 26.04.2006"

The link:
www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice..._april/26/ state.shtml

04/15/2006

Jason is in Toronto until August filming this new BBC mini-series. He plays the British Ambassador in Washington who had to go on the run with a young diplomat during a terrorist crisis.

This will be a 6 episodes series.