Rail bosses were worried about hit BBC thriller Nightsleeper depicting a cyber attack on their cross-border train

Rail bosses expressed concerns over the hit BBC thriller “Nightsleeper,” which depicted a cyber attack on their cross-border train service. Producers attempted to persuade Serco, the operator of the service at the time, that the show would bring fame to the Caledonian Sleeper, likening it to the renowned Orient Express. However, senior staff was apprehensive about the train being associated with a crime, even if it was fictional, and they denied permission for exterior filming.

The drama, featuring Joe Cole, portrayed an overnight train journey between Glasgow and London that falls victim to a digital hijacking. The series creators aimed to showcase the train in an aspirational and desirable light, despite the fictional cyber attack plot. Requests to film exterior shots of a similar six-carriage train at Glasgow Central and Motherwell were turned down by Caledonian Sleeper representatives due to fleet and capacity constraints.

Although the TV series did shoot scenes at various stations, including Glasgow Central, the representation of the Nightsleeper’s train exterior was achieved through CGI. Following the denial of permission to film the Caledonian Sleeper, the production company built its own set for filming the train sequences. The subsequent nationalisation of the rail service saw Serco losing its contract.

Kathryn Darbandi, the Managing Director of Caledonian Sleeper, explained that the production team was initially welcomed on board to familiarise themselves with the sleeper train, enabling them to accurately recreate it for filming purposes. Despite the filming challenges, the show managed to depict a compelling narrative of a cyber attack aboard a cross-border train service.

Insights:
The clash between artistic freedom and corporate concerns often arises when popular media depicts real-life entities like transportation services. In this case, the reluctance of rail bosses to associate the Caledonian Sleeper with a fictional cyber attack highlights the delicate balance between promoting a brand and protecting its reputation. The decision to deny filming access ultimately led to creative solutions, such as using CGI to recreate the train exterior, showcasing the adaptability of the entertainment industry in overcoming challenges.