About The Casual Vacancy

'The Casual Vacancy' is a 2015 British miniseries based on J.K. Rowling’s novel of the same name. Set in the seemingly idyllic English village of Pagford, the series unveils the social issues plaguing the town following the unexpected death of a popular Parish Councillor, Barry Fairbrother. As the town goes into a frenzy over his sudden vacancy, the dark underbelly of Pagford comes to light exposing the marital dissatisfaction, teenagers' struggles against their parents, and the deep-seated class prejudices.

Making / Production

The series is produced by Brontë Film and Television, and aired on BBC One with executive producers J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Paul Trijbits, Rick Senat, and the director Jonathan Bailey. The miniseries has three parts, with each episode followed by an hour-long documentary, 'The Casual Vacancy: Behind the Scenes'.

Actors

• Rory Kinnear as Barry Fairbrother: His compassionate representation of a local council member who tragically passes away, ignites the series of events.
• Emily Bevan as Mary Fairbrother: She brilliantly portrays the grieving widow left behind in the chaos.
• Julia McKenzie as Shirley Mollison: Her phenomenal portrayal of a power-hungry, yet deeply flawed woman adds intrigue to the storyline.
• Michael Gambon as Howard Mollison: Acclaimed actor Gambon's performance as the council leader with underhand tactics is noteworthy.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The miniseries is written by Sarah Phelps who previously adapted JK Rowling's work for television in 'The Cuckoo's Calling'.
• 'The Casual Vacancy' was filmed in the picturesque Cotswold villages of Northleach and Painswick, along with other locations in Gloucestershire.

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack is composed by Solomon Grey, a British music group and features a blend of atmospheric sounds complimenting the miniseries’ tone.