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Press Packs Hotel Babylon

Hotel Babylon
Starts Thursday 19 January at 9.00pm on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE

Category: TV Drama; ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE
Date: 11.01.2006
Printable version

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With guest stars including Joan Collins, Steven Berkoff, Rachael Stirling, Anthony Head, Keith Allen, Susie Amy, Lisa Faulkner, Ian Kelsey, Steve Pemberton, AnaMaria Marinca, Les Dennis, Michael Maloney, Liam Cunningham and many more…

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Tamzin Outhwaite and Max Beesley star in Hotel Babylon, a tantalising and seductive insight into the sexy world of the luxury five-star hotel industry, where money not only talks but can buy just about anything you desire!

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The eight-part series from independent production company Carnival Films for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE begins on 19 January at 9.00pm.

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Based on Imogen Edwards-Jones' searing exposé of life behind the scenes of the luxury hotel industry in London, Hotel Babylon takes us on a journey beyond the glamour and façade of the smiling faces and glittering chandeliers and into the frenetic, non-stop world of the staff.

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Outhwaite plays Rebecca Mitchell, the hotel's driven and ambitious General Manager who is determined to keep the profit margins more than above average.

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Running a tight ship ensures that guests and staff are rewarded. But is work taking its toll on her private life? Head Receptionist Charlie begins to wonder when he suspects Rebecca may actually be living in the hotel and not at home with her husband.

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Beesley plays Charlie Edwards, who introduces us to the world of Hotel Babylon – a world of fantasy and indulgence; a world where you can be who you want to be as long as you have the money to pay for it… and know who to ask!

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But Charlie has ambitions and when he applies for the job of Deputy Manager he finds stiff competition in the shape of the gorgeous Anna (Emma Pierson), who is desperate to move from a rival hotel.

Hotel Babylon

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Other characters in the hotel include Tony (Dexter Fletcher) the colourful and discreet concierge.

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A good concierge is like a magician - he can organise the best seats to the hottest show in town at the last minute and will take care of any personal crises that happen along the way - ultimately ensuring your visit to Hotel Babylon is as shiny as your credit card!

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Gino (Martin Marquez) is the flamboyant Head Barman. The bar is his baby and he will stay open all night if it means selling his beloved brandy, not to mention his precious stash of Cuban cigars.

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Receptionist Ben (Michael Obiora), always on the lookout for the latest boy band checking in, and Jackie (Natalie Mendoza), the straight-talking, stunning Head of Housekeeping who has to deal with the mornings after the night before, make up the rest of the front of house team.

Hotel Babylon

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For Gareth Neame, Executive Producer, it is his first production at Carnival films since leaving the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ (where he was Head of Drama Commissioning) and becoming the company's Managing Director.

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He says: "Imogen really tapped into something timely and exciting in her book, exposing the goings-on in front of and behind the scenes in a London five-star hotel; and this series, with sharp writing and an impressive young cast, will have a similar impact on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE and lift the curtain on a very new workplace for the audience."

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Jane Tranter, Controller, Drama Commissioning, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, says: "The characters in Hotel Babylon are sexy and engaging, and the concept really original. My ambition is that it strikes another fresh, contemporary note for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE audience."

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The series is written by Tony Basgallop (EastEnders, To The Ends of the Earth), Howard Overman (Hustle), Harry Wootliff (Us 4) and Toby Whithouse (No Angels).

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It is produced by Christopher Aird (Spooks, Inspector Lynley) and directed by Alrick Riley (Hustle, Spooks), Iain B. MacDonald (Bodies, Teachers) and Keith Boak (Doctor Who).

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Carnival Films

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Carnival Films is one of the UK's leading independent drama producers with a track record of experience in drama for over 25 years - from popular drama series such as As If, Bugs, Poirot and Jeeves and Wooster; to highly-acclaimed events such as the multi-award winning Traffik, Porterhouse Blue and The Grid; to stage and feature films such as Shadowlands.

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Carnival was recently acquired by Southern Star, the Australian production and distribution group, and Gareth Neame appointed as the company's Managing Director.

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