1980s icon Martin Kemp, famed for his role as the bassist in Spandau Ballet and his performance in The Krays, returns to the screen in Shogun Films' upcoming horror thriller, 'DOCTOR PLAGUE.' This marks Kemp’s first lead film role in a decade, where he plays John Verney, a seasoned London detective entangled in a chilling pursuit.
Outline: In 'DOCTOR PLAGUE,' Detective Verney is on the hunt for a serial killer whose sinister methods mirror those of a 17th-century Plague Doctor. With London’s underworld under siege, Verney’s investigation reveals a web of secret societies and pagan rituals, drawing parallels to the infamous Jack the Ripper murders of 1888. The stakes intensify as the killer abducts Verney's son, forcing him to confront an ancient evil lurking beneath the city's streets.
Cast and Crew: Kemp leads an impressive British cast, featuring David Yip (The Chinese Detective), Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott (Helloween), Wendy Glenn (You’re Next), Michael McKell (Allied), Johnny Palmiero (Colide), Daisy Beaumont (The World is Not Enough), and Peter Woodward (Babylon 5). The film’s nod to folk horror is evident, with Woodward’s role paying homage to his father, Edward Woodward, star of the horror classic The Wicker Man.
The screenplay is by Robert Dunn, inspired by a concept from Robert Geoffrey Hughes, and directed by Ben Fortune. The project is produced by Jonathan Sothcott, known for titles like Renegades and We Still Kill The Old Way. Sothcott commented on Kemp's performance, stating, “Martin is outstanding in the role, delivering his best performance since The Krays. The Plague Doctor’s design is both simple and terrifying – a striking addition to British horror."
