Aggi O’Casey escapes her fascist attackers sporting a bloodied face as she films dramatic scenes for new BBC period drama Ridley Road
Actress Aggi O’Casey was seen sporting a bloodied face on Friday, as she shot dramatic scenes for the upcoming 1960s BBC drama Ridley Road.
Taking on the role of Vivien Epstein, a hairdresser who moves to London after her father dies, the screen star got into character as she escaped her fascist attackers.
Wearing a powder blue dress, the rising screen star carried a brown suitcase as she escaped the clutches of brawling men outside a pub.
Brutal: Actress Aggi O’Casey was seen sporting a bloodied face on Friday, as she shot dramatic scenes for the upcoming 1960s BBC drama Ridley Road
With blood also streaking down her legs, the blonde beauty looked terrified as she attempted to flag down help in the midst of all of the chaos.
The scenes were the culmination of Jewish Vivien going undercover in a fascist organisation, only for things to go violently awry on her part.
Production for the upcoming four-part east London-set series has been taking on the streets of Lancaster since filming kicked off last month.
Ridley Road is based on the novel of the same name by Jo Bloom and tells the story of Vivien Epstein, a young hairdresser who moves to London after her father dies.
Attacked: Taking on the role of Vivien Epstein, a hairdresser who moves to London after her father dies, the screen star got into character as she escaped her fascist attackers
Escape: Wearing a powder blue dress, the rising screen star carried a brown suitcase as she escaped the clutches of brawling men outside a pub
In the drama, Vivien attempts to track down a man named Jack Morris who she had an intense romance with, but is initially unsuccessful.
Far-right fascism is on the rise in the East End and Vivien ends up going undercover with the fascists for the sake of her country and the man she loves.
The series also stars Eddie Marsan, Tracy Ann Oberman, and Rory Kinnear, along with EastEnders stars Danny Hatchard and Tamzin Outhwaite.
Ridley Road has been written and adapted for television by Sarah Solemani who said of the show: ‘Britain’s relationship with fascism is closer and more alive than we like to think. Luckily, so is our rich heritage of fighting it.
‘Jo Bloom’s gripping book revealed a darker side of sixties London and the staggering contribution the Jewish community made in the battle against racism.
Terrified: With blood also streaking down her legs, the blonde beauty looked terrified as she attempted to flag down help in the midst of all of the chaos
Collapsed: At one point, she was seen collapsed on the ground as she held onto her suitcase
Under my umbrella: In between takes, she warmed up in a bathrobe and a hot water bottle
‘I am thrilled to be working with RED and the BBC to bring this little-known slice of British history to the screen.’
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, added: ‘Sarah’s brilliant scripts tell a unique story of doomed love and undercover espionage against a backdrop of a fascist uprising in 1960s London.
‘This story couldn’t feel more timely and we are hugely indebted Sarah for bringing this story to life in her own style.’
Lead actress Aggi, who graduated from The Lir Academy, said: ‘Sarah Solemani has blown me away with the detail, sensitivity, and complexity with which she has written Vivien. I can’t wait to bring this vital and little-known story to life.’
The series has been filming since the beginning of November although it is not yet known when it will air on screens.
Brawl: Men were seen brawling with one another on the street as production cameras rolled
Shooting scenes: Production for the upcoming four-part east London-set series has been taking on the streets of Lancaster since filming kicked off last month
Coming soon? The series has been filming since the beginning of November although it is not yet known when it will air on screens