Loch Ness plays a starring role in TV murder mystery

A LEADING actor in a forthcoming ITV drama set on the shores of Loch Ness has admitted she does not believe in the monster.

Despite spending months filming new ITV drama The Loch, some of which takes place beside the world famous stretch of water and nearby town of Fort Augustus, Laura Fraser remains unconvinced of Nessie’s existence.

The plot of the new six-part TV show which will air this month plays on the monster myth, using the stunning backdrop of Loch Ness to its advantage.

However the actress, who has also starred in BBC One drama The Missing, failed to spot the beast during filming.

“It’s a bit like a tooth fairy, isn’t it,” she said.

“I don’t think anyone really believes it’s real, do they? A hundred years ago I would definitely have believed. But today? Sadly no.”

The murder mystery thriller will be broadcast to the whole of the UK with lead characters tasked with unveiling a mysterious serial killer in the fictional community of Lochanfoy.

Within the small community characters are pitted against each other as suspicion mounts over who the real life monster may be. When the body of local man Niall Swift is found at the bottom of Carn Mohr Mountain and a human heart is discovered nearby all normalcy in the community is shattered.

The scenery is set to play a pivotal role in the plotline of the show which producer Alan J Wands thinks will have a positive effect on the Inverness area.

“The actors and crew had a wonderful time shooting The Loch in and around Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, Fort William and Glen Coe,” he said.

“We believe we have captured the magnitude and beauty of the Highlands and, as has been proved in the past, national and international film and TV exposure leads to an upturn in tourism.

“It’s good for the local economy and gives other regions of the UK a better view and understanding of life and the people in the Highlands.”

Inverness already has an impressive amount of summer entertainment lined up. With a number of outdoor concerts scheduled and popular music festival Belladrum making its return Inverness city manager David Haas has welcomed news of the TV show and is hopeful that it will draw even more people to the area.

“Any interest in the profile of the city can only be good, especially from a nationally commissioned programme,” he said.

“It will bring some sort of economic benefit to the city.

“When combined with the likes of Belladrum and other events in the city, it all adds up and entices people to come, live and visit here.”

The Loch will feature several other high profile actors and actresses with Siobhan Finneran, of Benidorm and Downton Abbey fame, taking on another leading role.

Don Gilet who has previously had roles in BBC One dramas EastEnders and Holby City will also have a starring role playing a criminal psychologist hired to help out with the investigation.

Coronation Street actor Gray O’Brien will also play a central character in the show alongside William Ash of BBC One’s Death In Paradise fame.

The drama was supported by Creative Scotland’s Production Growth Fund which aims to attract and grow film production in Scotland. Recent productions also supported by the fund include the ITV series Muncie which was produced by World Productions.

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