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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Entertainment
Sophie Buchan

Amazon Prime's The Rig: Martin Compston to feature in mini-series filmed in Scotland

Glasgow - and the UK as a whole - seem to love Martin Compston and who can blame them.

Even Jenny from Gogglebox does after declaring on a Friday night episode that she loved him saying: “Ohhh, he’s a lovely man" followed by other comments abut just how much she fancied him.

The 37-year old actor has has a busy few years when it comes to being on the TV - and it seems he knows what he is doing as each one has been a success.

From Line of Duty to Our House, fans can't get enough of the Greenock actor with many taking to social media hoping that he will return to Vigil season two which was just announced this week - even if it does just mean more flashbacks.

But whilst we may not see Burke, Bram or Steve for a while yet, we are set to see a new face as Compston is starring in yet another drama called 'The Rig' - and there's not long to go.

The series finished filming in Edinburgh back in July 2021 and after filming wrapped up, Compston took to Instagram and said: "Congrats to our top class crew ploughing on the through the Covid protocols, laughing under the masks to deliver what could be something special.

"Don’t know where to begin with the cast, the most eclectic company of chancers I’ve had the pleasure of sharing this at times ridiculous journey with. Can’t wait for you all to see it I’m excited myself, going all out for the epic."

And no, he won't die within the first episode with him tweeting: "Can confirm I don’t die in first ten minutes, after that it’s every boiler suit for themselves"

So what do we know about this drama so far?

Emily Hampshire plays Rose and even got a taste of Irn Bru for the first time while on set thanks to Compston. (Amazon Prime Video/PA Wire)

What is The Rig about and how many episodes are there?

The mini TV series, consisting of six episodes, is set off the Scottish coast in the dangerous waters of the North Sea.

Located on the Kinloch Bravo oil rig, the crew are set to return to the mainland however a "mysterious and all-enveloping fog rolls through and they find themselves cut off from all communication with the shore and the outside world".

As the rig is hit by massive tremors, the crew endeavour to discover what's driving the "unknown force". However in the process "bonds are broken, allegiances formed and generational fault lines exposed."

All of the crew "will be driven to the limits of both their loyalties and their endurance, into a confrontation with forces beyond their imagination".

Who is the cast of The Rig?

Cast members include Game Of Thrones actor Iain Glen, Schitt's Creek star Emily Hampshire and fellow Line of Duty co-star, Rochenda Sandall.

  • Mark Bonnar as Alwyn Evans
  • Martin Compston as Fulmer Hamilton
  • Calvin Demba as Baz Roberts
  • Emun Elliott as Leck Longman
  • Cameron Fulton as James Garrow
  • Iain Glen as Magnus MacMillan
  • Emily Hampshire as Rose Mason
  • Stuart McQuarrie as Colin Murchison
  • Richard Pepple as Grant Dunlin
  • Abraham Popoola as Easter Ayodeji
  • Rochenda Sandall as Cat Braithwaite
  • Owen Teale as Lars Hutton
  • Molly Vevers as Heather Shaw
  • Zach Gerard as Pilot
The Rig will be out on Amazon Prime soon. (Amazon Prime Video/PA Wire)

When is Amazon Prime's The Rig release date?

The series will be available on Amazon Prime as an exclusive in over 240 countries and therefore won't be shown elsewhere.

At present, there is no release date but the series is expected to air early 2022.

Where was The Rig filmed?

Much of the series was filmed in Edinburgh and according to Aberdeen Live, the streaming giant was said to have helped to create ‘hundreds of jobs' in Scotland.

Speaking to the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster, Director of European Prime Original Series at Amazon, Georgia Brown, said: “We have created over 750 jobs, 60% of those have been Scottish, and we have actually created 60 traineeships directly into those productions."

She added that the production showcases the viability of local stories.

She added: “I think 'The Rig' will prove to the world that shows can go out that are hyperlocal: north of Inverness in a place that people probably will never have heard of with very Scottish accents, very thick accents.

“I don’t think that is going to put people off viewing it. It is a really compelling story. For us, it is more about having a bespoke approach to each individual Programme.”

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