The new series about young lawyers stars Rebecca Bell, Brandon Grace, Eilidh Park, Alyth Ross, Ro Kumar and George Prentice.
By Bill Heaney
The fate of River City, the Scottish television soap opera produced at the BBC Scotland studios at Lomondgate in Dumbarton, was finally sealed today when the corporation’s cast for its new legal drama Counsels was finally announced.
There will be no going back to the former studios which are housed in the old Scotch whisky bonded warehouses owned by Diageo, one of the world’s biggest spirits companies, and operated as Strathleven Bonded Warehouses until it was closed and moved to Fife with the loss of 1600 jobs.
Lord Alcluith, Speaker of the House of Lords, and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie with Sally Howitt, who plays Scarlett O’Hara in River City.
Lord Alcluith, Speaker of the House of Lords, and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie co-operated as the Strathleven Regeneration Company to save the site and the studios plus the land at Lomondgate was sold to them for £1 to attract new development to Dumbarton and replace the lost jobs.
Jackie Baillie had been trying desperately to save the site off Townend Road and keep the River City programme on the road, but that endeavour failed.
Some of the River City actors’ jobs will be saved however.
Sally Howitt, who plays Scarlett O’Hara in River City and Stephen Purdon, who takes the part of Shellsuit Boab.
Two of the best known and loved Sally Howitt, who plays Scarlett O’Hara in River City and Stephen Purdon, who takes the part of Shellsuit Boab, will be moving to the cast of a new eight-part series starring Brandon Grace, Ro Kumar, Eilidh Park, George Prentice, Alyth Ross and Rebecca Bell.
All of them will play young lawyers in Counsels from an elite law school trying to navigate their complex and messy lives at a time when their careers turn serious.
Having trained together, the characters are now scattered across the legal profession and find themselves facing each other in court.
It was created by Scottish writers Bryan Elsley – who co-created the E4 drama Skins – and Gillian McCormack, a graduate of the BBC Writers’ Drama Room.
Elsley, who also wrote the BBC adaptation of Iain Banks’ The Crow Road, said he was delighted to be leading the series with McCormack.
He said: “We look forward to introducing a galaxy of Scottish acting, writing and directing talent to our audience.
“Set entirely in Glasgow, we hope to bring the city vividly to life and fill it with arresting stories and characters.”
McCormack added: “It’s been amazing to work with Bryan and see our incredible crew and phenomenal cast come together.
“Developing our characters and their worlds has been a brilliant experience and I can’t wait to share their stories set against the backdrop of the dynamic, exciting and contemporary city of Glasgow, of which I am hugely proud.”
The ensemble are joined by an established cast including:
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Michelle Gomez (Doom Patrol, The Flight Attendant)
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Derek Riddell (Happy Valley, Industry)
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Laura Haddock (What It Feels Like For A Girl, The Recruit)
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Daniela Nardini (This Life, Sunset Song)
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Michael Nardone (Traces, The Night Manager)
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Sally Howitt (River City, Dinosaur)
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Stuart Bowman (Department Q, Only Child)
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Neshla Caplan (The Rig, Rebus)
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Stephen Purdon (River City, Sweet Sixteen)
Filming for Counsels is under way in Glasgow. It is being made by Balloon Entertainment for BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland.
Stephen Purdon is known for his role as Bob O’Hara in the BBC Scotland soap opera River City. Having portrayed the role from its first episode, Purdon is the longest-serving Scottish soap opera actor.
Purdon was born in May 1983 in Greenock and made his screen debut in 1999, as an extra in Ratcatcher. He then appeared in the 2002 film Sweet Sixteen. He was up against Martin Compston for the lead role, but as Compston was chosen, Purdon was given a minor role in the film.
Whilst studying at Langside College, he was contacted by a casting director who informed him of a new Scottish soap opera being made for the BBC, River City. He auditioned for the part of Shellsuit Bob, which he initially believed was a joke and was disappointed to hear nothing for a while.
Then, whilst working in a clothing shop in his local area, he received a call to inform him he had gotten the part of Bob O’Hara. Purdon told his manager he was quitting, but asked him to reserve the job in case River City did not work out.
He began filming for the show, aged 19. Since joining River City, Purdon has made annual appearances in pantomimes in Glasgow, notably at the Pavilion Theatre. In 2019, he portrayed Scottish boxer Benny Lynch in Rally Roon the Rangers at the Pavilion. Purdon has been married to wife Nicola McLaughlin since 2011, with whom he shares two children.
Oban born Sally Howitt, one of the show’s longest serving cast members and has played Scarlett O’Hara in River City since 2003. She left in 2009 but returned in 2012.
She has also starred in Outlander, The Decoy Bride, Still Game and The Tales of Para Handy.
In 2017, Howitt acted in the Kilmarnock Palace Panto. In 2024, Howitt starred in the comedy drama television series Dinosaur. She played the role of Diane.
Top of page picture: Lomondgate with the former BBC Scotland studios bottom left.