Bonekickers (BBC-1 2008, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Graham)

Archaeological based action adventure series Bonekickers follows a team of archaeologists working out of Bath University’s latest case sees them extracting bodies, books, weapons and all manner of artefacts which lead them into an investigation of the past that will unlock dangers and mysteries in the present.

Running through the series is a greater puzzle that Gillian keeps to herself for fear of ridicule – the hunt for the greatest treasure in the history of Man, a hunt that drove her brilliant mother insane, a hunt that pits her wits against her academic nemesis, the arrogant, urbane TV historian Daniel Mastif, and that will culminate at the end of series one in a desperate race for glory which may destroy her in the process.

Based in fact but with a good smattering of Indiana Jones meets Dan Brown style action, the series utilised the expertise of Dr Mark Horton, Head of Archaeology at Bristol University, a specialist in the archaeology of historical societies around the world and Bonekickers consultant on the factual evidence and background to the relics featured in each episode.

production details
UK / BBC One – Monastic Productions – Mammoth Screen / 6×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 8 July – 12 August 2008

Creators: Ashley Pharoah, Matthew Graham / Producer: Rhonda Smith / Executive Producers: Graham and Pharoah, Michele Buck, Damien Timmer

cast
JULIE GRAHAM as Gillian
ADRIAN LESTER as Dr Ben Akomfrah
HUGH BONNEVILLE as Professor Gregory Parton
GUGU MBATHA-RAW as Viv Davis

THE EPISODES
1. ARMY OF GOD (8 Jul 2008)
2. WARRIORS (15 Jul 2008)
3. THE ETERNAL FIRE (22 Jul 2008)
4. THE CRADLE OF CIVILISATION (29 Jul 2008)
5. THE LINES OF WAR (5 Aug 2008)
6. FOLLOW THE GLEAM (12 Aug 2008)

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