Wraith: Episode 1: Breach
5/8/202629 min
A cutting-edge thriller about an Artificial Intelligence takeover, written in consultation with leading AI and cybersecurity experts.
During a routine overnight update at the headquarters of a major UK telecoms giant, two IT workers unknowingly set something terrifying in motion. They've started an LCE - an AI Loss of Control Event.
Over the course of one night, a handful of staff race to regain control as forces far beyond the building begin to close in. What’s been unleashed threatens to change everything — and soon there may be no way to put it back.
This is a very a real and disastrous phenomenon, and it could happen to us very soon.
Starring Edward Bluemel and Corinna Brown.
Artificial Intelligence consultant: Saffron Huang. Cybersecurity consultant: Adam Orton.
Written by James Dobbyn and Anthony Povah.
Cast: Iain - Edward Bluemel Mel - Corinna Brown Zaina - Fatima Adoum Roland - Philip Bretherton Jess - Alix Wilton Regan Nisha - Seyan Sarvan Sam - Kenneth Omole Andrea - Beth Chalmers Oliver - Sean Rigby Marcus - Wilf Scolding John - Joseph Mydell Susan - Karen Bryson Lyssa - Catriona Stirling Supporting roles - Sean Baker and members of the cast
Original Music by Steven D Griffiths and Isla Noir
Artificial Intelligence consultant: Saffron Huang Cybersecurity consultant: Adam Orton Sound Designer: Lucinda Mason Brown Director: John Wakefield Story Producer: Sarah Olley Producer: Chris Grezo Executive Producer: John Scott Dryden
A Strange Boy production for BBC Radio 4
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 00:00
[explosion] This series was written in consultation with artificial intelligence experts. Everything that follows could really happen, and happen soon.
John0:11
[explosion] [siren] [music] a widespread network outage Slow down.
Susan Harper0:17
You don't know where you're going.
John0:19
But there's no confirmation- We were supposed to be there half an hour ago ... yet from United Telephone UK.
Susan Harper0:21
Well, we won't get there any faster by going in the wrong direction While a clear outline of what went wrong remains elusive, some are reportedly unable- Try checking the satnav again ...
John0:25
to access emergency services.
Susan Harper0:27
LESA, set route for 105 Aster Park Road.
Lyssa0:31
I'm sorry. To do that, you'll need to be online.
John0:35
Useless. What's the point of- One to highlight from this evening.
Susan Harper0:37
John My right of way, idiot.
John0:39
A spokesperson reports all train services are suspended- John Bloody lunatics ... between King's Cross, Euston, and Liverpool Street- Don't swear.
Susan Harper0:42
I'll find a map ...
John0:43
due to signal failures.
Susan Harper0:44
Just watch the road.
John0:45
[sighs] There has been no comment from United Telephone as of yet. For more on this story, we go live to our correspondent at King's Cross.
Susan Harper0:54
That's the third one in five minutes.
John0:56
Did you find the map?
Susan Harper0:57
It's not there. You must have thrown it out.
John1:00
Oh.
Susan Harper1:01
Do you think that's... John, slow down. It's a red light, John.
John1:07
Oh.
Susan Harper1:09
[horn honking] Stop.
John1:09
I can't.
Susan Harper1:11
Stop.
John1:11
The brakes aren't working.
Lyssa1:12
What if I ask you- The accelerator's stuck ... to help me?
Susan Harper1:15
What do you mean?
John1:15
Something's wrong with the car.
Susan Harper1:17
What's happening?
Lyssa1:18
Proceed. [brakes squealing] [crash] Crash detected. Crash detected. Contact emergency services.
Susan Harper1:28
John, are you all right?