Channel 4 has unveiled the ensemble cast of Maya, a 6x60-minute witness-protection thriller series led by Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) and Daisy Haggard (Back to Life), which has just begun shooting on location in Scotland. The announcement was first reported by Variety.

Created and written by BAFTA and International Emmy nominee Haggard, the series marks her directorial debut. She will co-direct alongside Jamie Donoughue (Doctor Who, The Last Kingdom). The project is being produced by Two Brothers Pictures, the London-based outfit behind The Tourist, Fleabag and Boat Story.

Ramsey stars as Maya, the teenage daughter of Anna (played by Haggard herself), who enters witness protection to escape a life-threatening danger. Leaving behind their London home and Anna’s parents, Nancy (Harriet Walter) and George (Tom Courtenay), the pair start anew in rural Scotland. They are aided by Senior Detective Constable Debs (Josie Walker), alongside witness protection officers Tony (Stuart Bowman) and Karen (Kiran Sonia Sawar). However, the trauma of their past resurfaces in the form of two hitmen, Benji (Ben Chaplin) and Ted (Raphel Famotibe), while a calculating figure from their history, Bobby (Tobias Menzies), continues to pose a threat.

The extensive cast also includes Serena Manteghi, Archie Backhouse, Paul Blair, Sonny Poon Tip, Finlay Shack, Max Fincham, Ash Hunter, Harry Hadden-Patton, Tori Allen-Martin and Isabele Derosa.

Described as a darkly comedic psychological thriller, Maya will explore themes of predatory male behaviour, family and love, while ultimately celebrating the bond between mother and daughter.

Commenting on the start of production, Haggard said: “After years of writing and dreaming this show up, I’m absolutely thrilled that we have started filming Maya and cannot get over what an unbelievably brilliant cast we have joining us to bring it all to life!”

Executive producers Daisy Mount and Alex Mercer, of Two Brothers, added: “The bar was set so high on Maya with Bella and Daisy leading the cast, and Daisy’s phenomenally nuanced and entertaining scripts, so we are elated by this incredible roster of talent joining the ensemble alongside them.”

Commissioning editor for Channel 4 Drama Gemma Boswell highlighted the combination of cast, script and Scottish setting: “The fantastic scripts have enticed such esteemed and exciting talent, led by Daisy and Bella. We’re delighted that filming is now under way, set against a stunning Scottish backdrop.”

Maya is being produced by Two Brothers Pictures (part of All3Media), in association with All3Media International. Executive producers are Haggard, Harry and Jack Williams, Sarah Hammond, Mercer and Mount. Kenny Tanner produces, whilst Donoughue also serves as a co-executive producer. Casting is handled by Shaheen Baig.