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Airdate: Bonekickers

ABC2 will air a new series by Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes creators about a team of UK archeologists.

ABC2 will air the 2008 series by Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah (Life On Mars, Ashes to Ashes), Bonekickers.

The six-part drama series about a team of archaeologists, was described by one critic as CSI meets Indiana Jones: “There’s an element of the crime procedural show, there’s science, conspiracy theories – and there’s a big underlying mystery that goes through the whole six-episode series.”

After disappointing reviews, just one series was made. It also attracted some controversy after a scene in the first episode depicted a Muslim’s beheading by an extremist Christian, drew 100 complaints.

Packed with historical mystery and contemporary action adventure, this witty and fast-paced series centres on a team of talented archaeologists working at the front line of history.

They are led by the feisty and passionate Dr Gillian Magwilde (Julie Graham – William And Mary), who is following in the footsteps of her brilliant mother both professionally, and in her obsession with finding the greatest relic in history.

Each spine-tingling episode is a window through to an exciting period of history, including the excavation of murdered 18th century slaves, the possible discovery of the True Cross, the looting of Babylonian relics from the Iraq War and the exploration of secret chambers underneath famous Roman baths.

Using state of the art techniques and old-fashioned digger’s instinct, Gillian and her team – forensic expert and her former lover Dr Ben Akomfran (Adrian Lester – Primary Colors; Hustle), the brilliant but lecherous Professor Gregory Barton (Hugh Bonneville – Notting Hill) and eager young intern Viv Davis (Gugu-Mbatha Raw – Doctor Who) – piece together incredible stories and conspiracy theories from the past that resonate strongly in the present, thrusting the ‘bonekickers’ into thrilling, death-defying adventures.

The excavation of the bones of medieval soldiers from the Crusades leads to the hunt for the True Cross. Brilliant archaeologist Dr Gillian Magwilde and her team must use their skills to unlock the truth. Meanwhile fanatical right wing Christian, Edward Laygass, reawakens a force of violent modern day crusaders.

It premieres 9:45pm Friday April 23rd on ABC2.

4 Responses

  1. If you are looking for insight into the workings of a modern archeology team then you’ll be disappointed, but if you can suspend belief big time, then the show doesn’t suck 100%.

    After all, some films where an American archeology professor discovered both the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant did quite well at the box office.

  2. Friends & contacts in the city of Bath (where some of the show was made) had descriptions of Bonekickers as not so much “disappointing”, as just plain… awful. (Sanitised
    version). It was panned mercilessly in the UK. Pity, as it sounded potentially good, but was deemed eminently avoidable. Don’t get your hopes up… your opinion may vary. 🙂

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