Manama: A pilot episode for a new television series loosely based on the life of a former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) operative is due to be filmed in Bahrain, according to the man behind the idea.
It is being spearheaded by Keith Bulfin, author of the international bestselling novel Undercover, and is based on his experiences working undercover.
He claimed HBO and the BBC had both expressed an interest in the rights to the show, called The Banker.
Cast members for the one-hour pilot to be shot in Bahrain are now being sought, with actors needed to play six key roles.
“This is based on my real life events, from a former investment banker in Australia to an undercover US DEA agent working with the ruthless Mexican drug cartels,” Mr Bulfin told the GDN in an exclusive interview yesterday.
The New Zealander pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud over the valuations of properties in 1997 and spent three years in the maximum security Port Phillip Prison, in
Victoria, Australia.
It was during this time that he befriended inmates with links to a Mexican drug cartel – and he was recruited by US authorities to conduct a covert operation in which he became a banker for the cartel.
“We will be filming for the pilot episode in Bahrain in the coming weeks and it will be then sold to television networks,” said Mr Bulfin.
He is hoping that some of Hollywood’s biggest stars could be attracted to the project, which envisages a 48-episode series spread over four years.
“HBO and BBC have expressed interest and we plan to sign the deal by next month so that shooting begins with big names such as Hugh Jackman or Daniel Craig by February,” he said.
“The actors will then visit Bahrain along with the entire crew to shoot the episode next year.”
Bahrain-based businessman Valarian Joseph and fellow resident Abdulla Hubert Eikel have come on board as executive producers for the project, also partnering with Bahrain-based Elements Cine Productions for the pilot.
“We are looking for actors from Bahrain for the pilot,” said Mr Bulfin.
“Casting is for six acting roles that includes the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent (the female lead role), medical officer on a military base and a senior CIA officer.”
Specifically the filmmakers are looking for three male actors aged in their early 40s, as well as three female actresses aged between 30 and 40.
The pilot episode centres on the kidnapping of a CIA agent and an Australian banker in Manama and their subsequent rescue by the US and Bahraini security services.
It also features a storyline in which the Bahraini and German authorities work together to foil a money laundering operation geared to help terrorists buy weapons in Europe.
“We are waiting for approvals from the Interior Ministry and the response so far is positive, with full backing from the Information Affairs Authority,” said Mr Bulfin.
“They will let us know about the locations, but we plan to use helicopters during the rescue operation shot in Bahrain with some scenes also filmed at the K Hotel in Juffair.”
He also hopes that US and Bahraini military personnel will feature in the episode.
Details about auditions are expected to be announced shortly, but people can contact Mr Bulfin via e-mail to express an interest at keithwilsonbulfin@gmail.com.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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