Two Birds on ITV: Sheridan Smith stars in 'exhilarating mystery thriller' set in Western Australia
Sheridan, a beautiful location, and a gripping thriller? Win/win/win!
Two Birds is the latest thriller from ITV and it has all the components for a cracking watch. We’re talking Sheridan Smith, a beautiful location, and a compelling plot. Sounds amazing already, right?
ITV has announced the “exhilarating mystery thriller” which stars BAFTA award winning Sheridan Smith as British Police Constable Izzie Cornwell. Recently widowed, she arrives in the small (fictional) town of Dugdale dreaming of a fresh start and a new life in Australia.
Anybody who watched The Ridge last year may feel a sense of déjà vu. Especially when you throw in the emotionally complex main character, the introduction of an estranged sister, and the Australian cast (although The Ridge was based on New Zealand). We’re not complaining, though, if Two Birds is half as good as The Ridge we’re in for a treat.
Here’s everything you need to know about Two Birds, including plot, cast, start date, and filming locations.
What is Two Birds about?
ITV describes Two Birds as a “compelling” and “exhilarating” mystery thriller written by The Cry’s Helen FitzGerald. The series centres on British Police Constable and recently widowed Izzie Cornwell. She arrives in the small town of Dugdale intent on a fresh start and a new life in Australia.
A synopsis tells us: “Focused upon chasing away her grief, Izzie hopes to reconnect with her sister who moved to
the Kalgoorlie area with her Australian husband. And, most important of all, Izzie wants to rebuild trust with her 22-year-old daughter. Her mother’s recent destructive behaviour has left her scared.”
Thrown into the deep end at her new work, Izzie is assigned to investigate a murder alongside her new boss Matt, a Homicide Detective from Perth. The stakes intensify when the victim is revealed to be part of a notorious local crime family, led by the formidable Mrs Baxter…
ITV tells us: “Determined to protect her family and uncover the truth, Mrs Baxter exerts fierce pressure
on the police. But the night before Izzie joins the case, one reckless last hurrah goes disastrously wrong and a split-second decision results in consequences Izzie can’t undo – forcing her into a secret she must do everything to contain.”
How many episodes will it be?
Two Birds will be six episodes of 45 minutes long.
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BAFTA-nominated director James Griffiths, famous for The Ballad of Wallis Island, Maternal, and Episodes, is in charge of filming.
Who is in the cast?
Sheridan Smith stars as Izzie Cornwell in the cast of Two Birds. Of course, she needs no introduction, having made her name in comedies such as Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Love Soup, and Gavin & Stacey. More recently, drama fans will know her best for taking on some heavy-hitting dramas including I Fought the Law, No Return, Four Lives, and The Teacher.
Talking about the thriller Two Birds, Sheridan said: ‘I’m thrilled to be playing the irresistibly complex Izzie Cornwell who is in search of new beginnings in Australia. Helen FitzGerald has created a dream role for me, as Izzie – through
no fault of her own – becomes embroiled in a web of secrets and lies. I’m also looking forward to returning to film in Australia.
Stephen Peacocke plays Izzie’s new boss Matt, a Homicide Detective from Perth. Of course, Home and Away fans will know him as Darryl Braxton, a role he’s played on and off since 2011. He’s also known for appearing in The Newsreader, RFDS, and Five Bedrooms.
The Australian ensemble cast also includes Judy Davis, who plays notorious local crime boss Mrs Baxter. She’s known for her roles in Feud: Bette and Joan, Mystery Road, and Ratched.
When’s the start date?
ITV has only just announced Two Birds, and the cast and crew have not started filming yet.
So sadly we’re looking at 2027 for a release date. But we’re quite sure it will be worth the wait. It will air on ITV and STV and stream on ITVX and STV Player.
What filming locations did cast and crew use for Two Birds?
Two Birds is set in the fictional town of Dugdale in the Kalgoorlie area of Western Australia. ITV tells us: “Two Birds is set against the rarely-seen-on-screen landscape of Kalgoorlie. It’s a remote Australian mining town carved from red earth, where rusted shafts and weatherboard pubs fade into endless bush. This harsh, beautiful, and isolating world clings tightly to its secrets.”
Cast and crew begin filming this spring in Perth and Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. They will christen the brand-new Perth Film Studios.
Two Birds on ITV is ‘built on an irresistible hook’
Talking about the upcoming thriller, Drama Commissoner Callum Dziedzic said: “From the very first script, it felt like we’d struck gold with Two Birds. Built on an irresistible hook, [writer] Helen FitzGerald has crafted a propulsive, twisty thriller with real humanity. Sheridan is perfect in the lead and brings her inimitable warmth and depth to Izzie. We can’t wait for our audience to join her in Dugdale and see the extraordinary scale of the gold mine for
themselves.”
