Apparitions, a new drama series for ´óÏó´«Ã½ÌýOne
Character biographies
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Father Jacob – Martin Shaw
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Father Jacob is a Roman Catholic priest whose job
is to promote candidates for sainthood but is drawn
against his will into the world of exorcism. In his
work to canonise Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Jacob
finds himself under attack from Satan. He's also
in conflict with the Vatican as Cardinal Bukovak
undermines him at every turn. Jacob's faith
may be strong but can he survive this terrifying
confrontation Satan has planned?
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Television: George Gently, Judge John Deed,
Death In Holy Orders, The Murder Room
Theatre: A Man For All Seasons, Vertigo, An Ideal
Husband, Rough Justice, A Streetcar Named
Desire
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Vimal – Elyes Gabel
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Vimal is a trainee priest who was cured of leprosy after praying to
Mother Teresa – living proof of her Sainthood. But the Vatican has
rejected his miracle and he is taunted by demons who claim it was
Satan and not God who cured him. His only friend is Jacob but
Vimal has a secret which prevents him from confiding in the one
person who can help him.
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Television: Casualty, I Love Mummy
Theatre: West Side Story, Oliver, Diary Of Anne Frank
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Michael – Rick Warden
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Michael is a homeless man who is controlled by a powerful demon.
In his possessed state he carries out a series of terrible crimes
but, once Jacob manages to exorcise him, Michael awakens as an
innocent suffering from amnesia. Jacob takes him in, absolves him
of his crimes and helps Michael work out who he is. But he is soon
targeted by the demons who want to recruit him in their mission to
open the gates of hell.
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Television: Band Of Brothers, Primeval, Trial & Retribution
Film: Doomsday, Mr Right, Renaissance, Dominion
Theatre: Stoning Mary, Cue Deadly, Taming Of The Shrew
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Sister Ruth – Siobhan Finneran
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Sister Ruth is sent by Bukovak to spy on Jacob. Initially her
allegiance is to the cardinal and she is highly suspicious of Jacob.
Even though she and Jacob don't see eye to eye, a mutual respect
grows between them. She will put her faith and her life on the line
as she supports Father Jacob in his quest to destroy evil.
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Television: Blue Murder, Other People, Benidorm
Film: Boy A, Rita, Sue And Bob Too
Theatre: On The Shore Of The Wide World, Port, Lucky Sods
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Cardinal Bukovak – John Shrapnel
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Cardinal Bukovak is Jacob's boss at the Congregation of the Causes
for Saints. He worries that his best miracle investigator is being
groomed for a career in demonology. For him demonic possession
is an historical embarrassment like the Crusades or the Inquisition.
Jacob's unofficial investigations are exactly the kind of thing that
brings the Church into disrepute and Bukovak believes he must be
stopped.
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Television: The Palace, Inspector Lynley, The Last Detective
Film: Mirrors, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Gladiator, The Duchess
Theatre: King Lear, Julius Caesar, South Pacific
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Sister Anne – Michelle Joseph
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Sister Anne is Jacob's secretary and she considers exorcism to be
an archaic practice. She joined the Church because she loves God,
not because she hates Satan. She challenges Jacob as he gets drawn
by Vincenzo deeper into the world of possession and satanic
conspiracy. Her faith is threatened as she is confronted by the
presence of evil.
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Television: Perfect Parents, EastEnders, As Time Goes By,
The Bill; A Touch Of Frost, Holby City,
Space Odyssey: A Voyage To The Planets
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Monsignor Vincenzo – Luigi Diberti
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Monsignor Vincenzo is soon to retire as the Chief Exorcist of
Rome and wants Jacob to be his successor. They've been friends for
years and he trusts no-one else. Vincenzo is convinced that Satan is
getting stronger and the war with him becoming more difficult to
fight. But the Vatican doesn't like to talk about the devil anymore.
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Film: One Last Kiss, For Roseanna,
The Stendhal Syndrome, Immortal Beloved
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Liam – Shaun Dooley (Episodes 1 & 2)
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Liam is an atheist so fervent in his hatred of God that he's begun
to frighten his 10-year-old daughter, Donna. Donna seeks out
Jacob to ask for help and, when Jacob confronts him about his
behaviour, Liam's reactions shock even himself. He can't admit to
his problem in this day and age. For him, possession is a ridiculous
medieval concept. And yet as his anger grows he has to balance
his entrenched scepticism with the safety of the daughter that he
loves.
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Television: Midsomer Murders, Mobile, The Street
Film: Eden Lake, Mark Of Cain, Ex-Memoria, Mathilde
Theatre: Summer Begins: The White Devil
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Governor Lassiter – Neil Pearson (Episode 3)
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Lassiter is Governor of Sandfield Prison. He is keen for Jacob to
perform an exorcism on inmate Cory Wardell.
As far as Lassiter is concerned he's got a serious case of religious
hysteria among some of the most violent prisoners in the UK and
he wants Jacob to nip it in the bud. Once he experiences possession
first-hand he then teams up with Father Jacob and helps him to try
and track down the escaped convict.
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Television: Clapham Junction, Frankenstein, State Within
Film: Bridget Jones - The Edge Of Reason, Bridget Jones' Diary
Theatre: Uncle Vanya, Old Times, Cloaca, Taking Sides
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Father Daniel – David Gyasi (Episodes 3 & 6)
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Father Daniel is prison chaplain at Sandfield Prison. He calls upon
Jacob for assistance when one of the inmates starts to show signs of
possession. However, he is ill-prepared for the experience that lies
ahead as the demons taunt him with their knowledge of his secret
desires. The strain of this initial encounter means he has to leave
his job at the prison but he is forced to face Satan once again when
Sister Ruth seeks him out to help Jacob in his hour of need.
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Television: Waking The Dead, Silent Witness, Torchwood
Film: Spoil, Shoot The Messenger, Shooting Dogs, .357
Theatre: Dread Sounds, The Wedding Dance, Foxes
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Kim Portman – Elizabeth Berrington (Episode 3)
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Ever since Kim Portman's daughter, Mary, went missing eight
years ago, she's been desperate to find out what happened to her.
Correspondence with Cory Wardell has led her to believe that he is
responsible for her murder, although he's never admitted where he
buried Mary's body. When Cory escapes from prison, she will stop
at nothing to discover the truth.
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Television: Poirot: Cat Among The Pigeons, May Contain Nuts
Film: In Bruges, Fred Claus, Are You Ready For Love?
Theatre: Abigail's Party, Top Girls, The Shagaround
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Cory Wardell – Stephen Wight (Episode 3)
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At the age of 20 Cory has assaulted a number of women.
When Jacob is called to Sandfield Prison, he wonders whether
Cory is presenting signs of saintly possession as he recognises the
parallels between his case and Maria Goretti, patron saint of rape
victims. At first it's unclear whether Cory is possessed by demons
or a saint and only Jacob realises the terrible truth; that they're
fighting over him.
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Television: Whites, Ashes To Ashes, Diamond Geezer
Film: Highlander – The Source, Wilderness
Theatre: Dealer's Choice, Don Juan In Soho
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Simon – Adrian Bower (Episode 4)
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Simon is a veteran who was blinded in the Bosnian war where
he claims he served with Michael. Simon is a willing vessel for
demonic possession and encourages Michael to join him and
become a soldier again. Simon's mission is to orchestrate and
protect a satanic pregnancy.
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Television: Freak, I Love Chieftown
Film: Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
Theatre: History Boys, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
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Janice – Claudia Harrison (Episode 4)
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Janice Greely is a doctor at the Hallum Street Women's Clinic. As
a trained surgeon she is deeply sceptical of Jacob's advice. She
is forced to revise her attitudes and stand up to her colleagues in
the face of what she experiences in order to save the lives of her
patients. Having witnessed satanic forces at work at the clinic,
Janice is fully aware of the danger they face.
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Television: Murphy's Law, Attachments
Film: The Oyster Farmer, Cat's Meow, Alone
Theatre: Cloud Nine, Present Laughter, All My Sons
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Zaid – Jamie Blackley (Episode 5)
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Zaid Kopavic is a 15-year-old Muslim boy who claims to have
seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Jacob becomes suspicious
when the apparition shows Zaid an image of his father burning in
the flames of hell. Jacob discovers Zaid's father is, in fact, Michael.
Desperate to release his father from his torment, Zaid takes his
Imam hostage and forces Jacob to perform a satanic ritual.
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Television: Talk To Me, Quatermass Experiment, Faith
Film: The Waiting Room, Jude, Conflict
Theatre: Elling, The Hotel In Amsterdam, In Celebration
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