The Rig (TV series)

The Rig is a British supernatural thriller[1] television series created by David Macpherson for Amazon Prime Video. The series is directed by John Strickland, and is the first Amazon Original to be filmed entirely in Scotland. The series was released on 6 January 2023 and consists of six episodes.[2] In February 2023, the series was renewed for a second season.

The Rig
Genre
Created byDavid Macpherson
Written by
  • David Macpherson
  • Matthew Jacobs Morgan
  • Meg Salter
Directed by
Starring
Music byBlanck Mass
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
ProducerSuzanne Reid
Production locationsEdinburgh, Scotland
CinematographyJohn Lee
Editors
  • Andrew McClelland
  • Colin Fair
Running time47–55 minutes
Production companiesWild Mercury Productions
Amazon Studios
Release
Original networkAmazon Prime Video
Original release6 January 2023 (2023-01-06) –
present

Premise

A Scottish oil rig in the North Sea is enveloped in an unnatural fog that cuts them off from outside communications. Spores found in the fog cause infected crew members to experience behavioural changes. After examining the spores, a scientist onboard the oil rig suspects that an ancient parasite has been unleashed from the ocean floor.

Cast and characters

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"John StricklandDavid Macpherson6 January 2023 (2023-01-06)
2"Episode 2"John StricklandDavid Macpherson6 January 2023 (2023-01-06)
3"Episode 3"John StricklandDavid Macpherson6 January 2023 (2023-01-06)
4"Episode 4"Alex HolmesMeg Salter6 January 2023 (2023-01-06)
5"Episode 5"Alex HolmesMatthew Jacobs Morgan6 January 2023 (2023-01-06)
6"Episode 6"Alex HolmesDavid Macpherson6 January 2023 (2023-01-06)

Production

Development

David Macpherson first came up with the idea for the series in 2018, based in part on the stories his father told him about working in the oil and gas industry. He sent a one-page pitch to producer Derek Wax, and began writing it in December 2018.[5][6] In November 2020, it was announced that Amazon had greenlit The Rig. The series is written and created by David Macpherson, and directed and executive produced by John Strickland. Derek Wax also executive produces, while Suzanne Reid produces. Wax's company Wild Mercury Productions produces the series.[7] On 22 February 2023, Amazon renewed the series for a second season.[8]

Writing

Work started on the series' scripts in December 2018.[9] Meg Salter and Matthew Jacobs Morgan serve as writers.[7]

Casting

In mid-March 2021, Emily Hampshire, Martin Compston, and Mark Bonnar were cast in key roles.[3] The next day, Iain Glen, Rochenda Sandall, Owen Teale, Richard Pepple, Calvin Demba, Emun Elliott, Abraham Popoola, Stuart McQuarrie, and Molly Vevers were cast.[4] Kelly Valentine-Hendry serves as the casting director for the series.[7]

Filming

Filming started on 29 March 2021, at an oil rig in Scotland, and at FirstStage Studios in Edinburgh.[10][11][7] The series is the first Amazon Original to be filmed entirely in Scotland.[7] Filming wrapped in August 2021.[2][12][13] The first three episodes were directed by John Strickland, and the final three were directed by Alex Holmes.[5]

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 63% approval rating and an average rating of 6.2/10 based on 16 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "The Rig may not plumb its full potential thanks to too many crude clichés, but this supernatural eco-thriller has enough ambience and appealing performances to make for a solid binge."[1] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 69 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14]

Release

The official trailer was released on 29 November 2022.[6] The pilot episode premiered at Everyman cinema in Leith, Scotland, on 6 December 2022.[15] The six-episode series was released on 6 January 2023.[6]

References
  1. "The Rig: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  2. Wehrstedt, Lisa (2 September 2021). "Martin Compston promises he doesn't die in 'first 10 minutes' of The Rig after that giant rug pull in BBC thriller Vigil". Metro. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  3. Wiseman, Andreas; Nellie, Andreeva (17 March 2021). "'Schitt's Creek' Star Emily Hampshire Joins Amazon UK Series 'The Rig'; Scotland Shoot To Begin This Month". Deadline. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  4. Andreas, Wiseman; Grater, Tom; Andreeva, Nellie (18 March 2021). "'Game Of Thrones' & 'Line Of Duty' Stars Among Cast To Join Amazon Thriller Series 'The Rig'". Deadline. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  5. Stephen, Phyllis (6 December 2022). "David Macpherson's The Rig – premiere held in Edinburgh". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  6. Ferguson, Brian (9 December 2022). "The Rig: Martin Compston, Iain Glen and Emily Hampshire return to Edinburgh to launch Scotland's supernatural North Sea thriller". The Scotsman. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  7. Grater, Tom (3 November 2020). "Amazon Commissions UK Supernatural Thriller Series 'The Rig' With 'Bodyguard' Director John Strickland & Wild Mercury". Deadline. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  8. Kanter, Jake (22 February 2023). "'The Rig' Renewed By Amazon; Martin Compston, Iain Glen & Emily Hampshire Reprise Roles". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  9. Swarbrick, Susan (24 April 2021). "The Rig: David Macpherson on his Amazon Prime Video thriller". The Herald. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  10. Daniels, Nia (29 March 2021). "The Rig starts filming in Scotland for Amazon". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  11. Ross, Alex (2 September 2021). "First look at Martin Compston's new drama The Rig". Planet Radio. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  12. Robinson, Gregory (2 September 2021). "The Rig: First Look At Martin Compston's New Thriller Series". Tyla. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  13. Horton, Tom (2 September 2021). "The Rig: First images offer glimpse of Martin Compston in new Amazon Prime Video series". The Scotsman. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  14. "The Rig: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  15. Stewart, Catriona (6 December 2022). "Martin Compston and Mark Bonnar on filming Amazon's The Rig". The Herald. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
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