A NEW prime time TV drama is being filmed in Northwich this month.

Eight-part thriller 'Paranoid' is set to star Indira Varma, Robert Glenister, Neil Stuke, Lesley Sharp and Kevin Doyle.

Written by acclaimed writer and producer Bill Gallagher, whose previous credits include 'The Paradise', 'Conviction', 'Love Life' and 'Lark Rise to Candleford', the drama is set in the small fictional Cheshire town of Marshwell.

It is the story of a female GP who is murdered in a rural children's playground with an abundance of eyewitnesses.

A group of detectives embark on what seems to be a straightforward murder investigation but, as they delve deeper in the case, they are drawn into the twists and turns of an ever-darkening mystery, which takes them unexpectedly across Europe.

Red Production Company, which produced 'Last Tango in Halifax', 'Happy Valley' and 'Scott and Bailey', is filming for the new ITV show.

It will be produced by Tom Sherry and executive produced by Nicola Shindler, founder and director of Red Production Company, and Bill Gallagher.

Nicola said: "We're really excited to be working with Bill Gallagher again.

"He's created a conspiracy thriller the audience won't be able to look away from.

"It's edgy, suspenseful and hugely ambitious as filming takes place in Cheshire and Germany."

Tom said: "'Paranoid' lays bare the human and emotional story of a group of detectives hell-bent on capturing a killer, but there are unexpected twists and turns every step of the way."

The series has been commissioned for ITV by director of drama Steve November and controller of drama Victoria Fea.

Steve said: "'Paranoid' is a taut, compelling eight part series with all the hallmarks of a classic psychological thriller.

"Bill has written some incredibly well-defined characters who embark on a terrifying murder investigation as it becomes evident from the outset that malevolent forces are at play."

Filming is taking place in Northwich as well as Cologne and Dusseldorf, in Germany.