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University graduates’ new drama premieres on ITV

‘Cleaning Up’ is an exciting and original drama series for ITV, developed by University of Gloucestershire graduates Mark Marlow and Lewis Arnold, and production company Sister Pictures.

Created and written by Media School graduate Mark Marlow, and directed by fellow graduate Lewis Arnold, the six-part series centres around office cleaner and struggling mother Sam, played by BAFTA-winning actress Sheridan Smith, who realises she has access to lucrative stock market information, which if used correctly could be the answer to all her prayers.

Lewis, who graduated from the university in 2007 with a first class honours degree in Video Production, has previously directed ‘Broadchurch’, ‘Humans’ and ‘Misfits’. He regularly returns to the university’s Media School as a guest lecturer on the Film Production course.

Director and University of Gloucestershire Media School graduate Lewis Arnold said: “It has been such an incredible experience to be involved in this show from so early on in its development, as I immediately fell in love with the world and characters Mark had created. I really enjoyed the challenge of bringing it all to life on screen, alongside the brilliant team at Sister Pictures.”

Executive Producer Jane Featherstone at Sister Pictures said: “It’s such a pleasure to be making a show for ITV about contemporary Britain with a strong and complicated female lead character. It’s also enormously gratifying that this comes from an exceptional brand new voice, Mark, and a brilliant up-and-coming director, Lewis Arnold. Expect it to be moving, funny and surprising.”

‘Cleaning Up’ will air in six parts starting on Wednesday 9 January, at 9pm on ITV.

Photo credit: Image of Sheridan Smith, OBE, courtesy of ITV.