The Day of the Triffids

Scientist Bill Masen (Dougray Scott, The Diplomat, Desperate Housewives) the world's premier authority on the extraordinary plant species known as Triffids, has become the architect behind a global phenomenon. Genetically modified, the plants are mass-produced for their 'Triffoil', a vital source of renewable fuel. However, Bill has also noticed an unnerving change in their behavioural patterns. The Triffids are starting to communicate. Masen's reservations are dismissed as people across the globe prepare for an amazing natural spectacle. A solar storm is about to take place, and promises to cast a spectacular light show across the sky. But the spectacle blinds all those who watch it and global mayhem ensues. In London, fear and panic rage as the blind desperately depend for survival on the few who have retained their sight. Having escaped blindness, Bill Masen meets Jo Playton (Joely Richardson, Nip/Tuck, The Last Mimzy) a BBC correspondent who also retained her sight after becoming trapped in London's Underground. Together they make their way through streets of panicked, blind mobs and a city that has descended into chaos following the collapse of the government. It's every man for himself as gangs of desperate people roam the streets. But a more chilling discovery soon comes to light. The Triffids have escaped from the farms and are making their way towards the cities, which is where they can find the most abundant source of their prey, mankind. Bill and Jo join a group that have established a rudimentary community, but they are soon overwhelmed by an army of the blind, led by Major Coker (Jason Priestley, Above & Beyond, Colditz) and his commander, the power-hungry Torrence (Eddie Izzard: Valkyrie, Ocean's Thirteen). Bill realises that Torrence is an amoral opportunist, who is fast laying the foundations of a tyrannical dictatorship and wants Bill out of his way. Unknown to Jo, Torrence has Bill arrested and taken to Hampstead Heath, where the Triffids have arrived.

Having narrowly escaped death on Hampstead Heath, Bill Masen is left wounded and on the run with his new, unlikely companion, Major Coker. Together they flee London and chance upon a beautiful abbey in which a commune has established under the leadership of the enigmatic Joan Durrant (Vanessa Redgrave: Atonement, Nip/Tuck, Venus.) Bill is shocked to discover that despite being surrounded by Triffids, the abbey is never attacked. At first it seems almost idyllic, blind and sighted working together in harmony without fear of attack, but very soon Bill realises the chilling secret behind the Triffids' docile behaviour. Durrant is sacrificing the weakest of her community as food for the plants. When Bill reveals the truth, there is an uprising and Durrant is ousted as Mason sets off through Triffid infested country to find the house of the one person who knows as much about the plants as himself, his estranged father Dennis (Brian Cox: Zodiac, The Escapist, The Bourne Supremacy) En route he meets two young sisters, who have survived alone against the odds, and takes them under his wing. Meanwhile, in London Jo has realised Torrence's sinister intent and barely escapes with her life. As Bill finally reaches his father's house with the girls, he is astonished to find Jo has been brought there by Dennis. The joy of reunion is short lived when the Triffids start to pollinate. It is now a race against time as father and son work tirelessly to find a way of destroying them before they destroy mankind, but their attempts are stopped dead by Torrence and his army. With his newfound family to protect, Bill Masen is caught in the crossfire between the bullets of Torrence's subordinates and a fast approaching horde of Triffids, whose single objective is annihilation. The odds against their escape are insurmountable - how will they ever make it out alive?