Rob Lowe leads ensemble of top names

Rob Lowe is to head the star-studded cast of Sky 1’s comedy-drama Apocalypse Slough, it was announced today.

The ensemble also includes The Wrong Man’s Mathew Baynton, Jenna Fischer from the US version of The Office, Megan Mullally from Will and Grace, Birds Of A Feather’s Pauline Quirke, Patterson Joseph who played David Mitchell’s work rival Alan Johnson in Peep Show and Joel Fry, who plays Stylax in ITV2’s Plebs.

Apocalypse Slough revolves around a group of people who gather in the Berkshire town to witness the Earth’s destruction by an eight-mile wide comet.

It was also announced today that the NBC network will broadcast in the US.

The ten hour-long episodes will be directed by Michael Engler, who previously worked on 30 Rock and Sex And The City. The show has been written by Iain Hollands, who penned Beaver Falls.

Lowe will play the foul-mouthed Father Jude, the Vatican’s most rebellious priest whose world is turned upside down by news of the impending apocalypse. The West Wing actor said: ‘This script and my character in particular, blew me away.’

Fischer will portray Rhonda, a mild-mannered librarian who finds herself dangerously out of her depth when she is sent to a maximum security prison in New Mexico for a crime she did not commit. Mullally will play Leanne, an unhinged white supremacist who takes a deeply reluctant Rhonda under her wing.

Baynton will take on the role of humble Slough bank manager Jamie still mourning the mysterious disappearance of his wife seven years ago. He said: ‘Iain's produced an epic rollercoaster ride of a story and I can't wait to get started on the end of the world.’

Quirke will take on the role of Jamie’s tough-as-nails mum Paula. Fry plays Dave, Jamie’s hedonistic best friend. And Joseph will play a 5-star US Army General.

Adam MacDonald, director of Sky 1, said: ‘Apocalypse Slough is world-class, high- concept new drama for Sky 1. The show has bundles of energy, vibrancy and laughter, as well as delivering an exuberant heart-warming story on an epic scale.’

And Juliette Howell, head of television for producers Working Title added: ‘I believe it’s a testament to Iain Hollands’ brilliant scripts that we’ve attracted such a rich and talented cast. Michael Engler is the perfect director to bring Iain's scripts to life and launch what we hope will be an unmissable show.’

The show will air later this year.

Published: 21 Jan 2015