Strike Back shoots in Jozi

A major made-for-television series commenced shooting in Johannesburg recently and will continue through until the end of 2009. Shot on 35mm film, the high quality 6x60 episodes are being produced by London-based Left Bank Pictures and well-known local production company, Out of Africa Entertainment.

The story line evolves around a hostage crisis in the Middle East and stars well known actors Richard Armitage (Spooks, Robin Hood) as John Porter and Andrew Lincoln (This Life, Teachers) as Hugh Collinson. Jodhi May (The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard, A World Apart, The Last of the Mohicans) plays intelligence officer Layla Thompson and in the opening film, Orla Brady (Mistresses, Wallander) plays Middle East correspondent, Katie Dartmouth. Nicola Stephenson (The Chase, Clocking Off) is Diane Porter, John Porter's wife. Laura Greenwood (Prime Suspect) plays Porter's daughter, Alexandra, while Dhafer L'Abadine (The Mark of Cain, Whistleblowers) plays Hakim Al Neseri and Fenar Mohammed Ali plays Hassad.

Several Gauteng locations are being used, including the old Nu World buildings near NASREC. Strike Back was commissioned by Elaine Pyke, Head of Drama, Sky1 HD and is being produced by Andrew Benson (Prime Suspect , Hornblower) for Left Bank Pictures. It is directed by Daniel Percival (The State Within, Place of Execution).

Local crew are being used almost in their entirety, including A camera operator, Harmon Cusack. The DOP is UK-based Steve Lawes. All equipment is supplied by Media Film Services. Negative processing is by The Film Lab, and the dailies are being Telecined at The Refinery.