Elba and Ridley Prep ‘Guerilla’

Filming has begun on the upcoming six-episode Showtime drama, Guerilla. From the mind of Oscar-winning writer and director John Ridley, the series has filled out its principle cast and shooting is currently underway.

The mini-series, currently filming in London, will star Idris Elba and Freida Pinto in a love story set in the 1970s during the birth of the Black Power movement. The story will follow the politically active couple and their idealism which will be tested when they form a guerrilla cell dedicated to fighting back against a racist police force. Their ultimate target becomes the Black Power Desk, a true-life, secretive counterintelligence unit within Special Branch dedicated to crushing all forms of black activism.

Black Reel Award winner Ridley (American Crime), who won an Oscar for his script for 12 Years a Slave, writes and executive produces Guerrilla and is set to direct the first few episodes as well as the finale. The other episodes will be directed by Sam Miller. Elba also will executive produce the mini-series, as well.

Joining the project is Babou Ceesay, Rory Kinnear, Nathaniel Martello-White, Daniel Mays, Brandon Scott, Nicholas Pinnock, Zawe Ashton and Denise Gough.

Guerilla will debut next year on Showtime in the U.S. and Sky Atlantic in the UK.