Sky has picked up British crime drama Cookster: The Darkest Days, starring Nick Moran. The drama is set to reach audiences in the UK and Ireland following its multi-award-winning festival success.
The project was a deeply personal endeavor for writer and producer Jason Cooke, who drew from his own experiences to craft a story spanning more than a decade. Set between 1981 and 1993, the story follows a dyslexic and bullied teenager who ventures into the drug trade, only to fall victim to his addiction to what he’s selling.
The film, directed by Stephen Roach, combines Moran, known for his work on Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock, Two Smoking Barrels and the Harry Potter series, with Tracy Shaw, best known for Coronation Street. They play the main character’s parents, with Craig Middleberg (The Batman) and Samuel Staite (Dig Me No Grave) embodying the central characters from different eras. The cast also includes Indonesian performer Elvira Devinamira.
For Moran, taking on the role of Cook’s father carried special weight. “Jason Cooke is a writer who is hurt internally and externally,” Moran said. “When Jason asked me to play his father in a film that was very personal to him, it was both an honor and a duty to help reflect his truth in this very authentic film.”
Shaw spoke about the emotional demands of playing Cooke’s mother. “Playing Jason’s mother was an honor that came with the responsibility of finding real emotions to share with the audience,” she said. “It was great to work with such a great cast and crew, and to be given the opportunity to drive a 1980s car again.”
The awareness of the festival has increased considerably. The film was awarded Best Crime Feature by the London Independent Film Festival in 2024, Best Director by the Directors Talent Movie Awards and Best First Time Director by the London Directors Awards in 2025. It was subsequently nominated for an Academy Award.
A soundtrack featuring songs by DJ Luck and MC Neat, The Midnight, Louise Brown, and Los Angeles-based composer Gregory Dombrowski further enhances the era’s atmosphere.
Johnny Chen’s Silent D Pictures produced in association with Cooke’s JC Pictures. Mr. Chen’s company has developed a reputation for backing a variety of international productions, including “High Wire” starring Isabella Way, which was selected for the BFI London Film Festival, “Finding My Voice” starring Michelle Ryan, “Follow the Dark” starring James Cosmo, and “Before Night Falls,” which is among the top three theatrical box office grossers in Indonesia.
Mr. Moran emphasized the importance of supporting homegrown and independent films. “It’s vital that the British public supports independent films like Cookstar: The Darkest Days,” Moran said. “These are stories that might not otherwise be told, but they reflect the real struggles of people in our community.”
Cookster: The Darkest Days is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video UK, with a Sky premiere scheduled for late 2025.
