Sky Greenlights Nuclear Bomb Thriller Series From Pulse Films

Sky has greenlighted a high-stakes thriller about a nuclear bomb from Pulse Films starring Game of Thrones‘ Alfie Allen.

Allen is joined by Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery, What’s Love Got To Do With It) and Emmy-winner Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orange is the New Black) in Atomic, which is penned by Gregory Burke (Rebus) and directed by Shariff Korver (Temple).

Filming will commence this month in Morocco on the series, in which Max (Allen) and Mohammed (Latif), two unlikely friends – and even less likely heroes – become swept up in a cartel’s plot to transport uranium across North Africa. The pair face a monumental decision: save themselves or risk everything to prevent a nuclear bomb getting into the wrong hands. Pursued by Cassie Elliott (Wiley) – a highly skilled CIA agent whose life mission is to prevent terrorists from acquiring a nuclear bomb – along with MI6 and a network of traffickers, Max and Mohammed find themselves in the absurd situation of, for once, having to be the good guys. 

The series is inspired by the non-fiction book Atomic Bazaar by Vanity Fair journalist William Langewiesche. It is the first from Vice Media Group-owned Gangs of London producer Pulse since Vice unveiled its new creative structure for the global production business.

“I am thrilled to bring the world of Atomic to life with the brilliant director Shariff Korver and such a wonderful cast,” said Burke. “It is a story about the terrifying prospect of a world where nuclear weapons are easier to acquire than ever before, and about the infinite possibilities that exist within the best of us and the worst of us.”

Atomic is written by Burke, with Jiwon Lee, Clare McQuillan and Ishy Din on the writing team. The series is directed by Korver and the series producer is Peter McAleese. EPs are Jamie Hall and Judy Counihan for Pulse Films, Megan Spanjian for Sky Studios, and Thomas Benski, Burke and Sam Hoyle. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution will handle international sales of the series.  

Allen, who played Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, is represented by The Artists Partnership, CAA and Untitled Entertainment. Latif is represented by Lou Coulson Associates, CAA and Principal Entertainment LA. Wiley is repped by Innovative Artists and Johnson Shapiro Slewett Kole law firm.