MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC and Science Channel are co-producing a new factual drama starring award-winning actor William Hurt.

Hurt will play the brilliant US physicist Richard Feynman, who was instrumental in uncovering the truth behind the space shuttle Challenger disaster of 1986.

When Challenger exploded 73 seconds into its flight on the morning of 28 January 1986, it represented one of the most shocking events in the history of American spaceflight.

A Presidential Commission was immediately convened to explore what had gone wrong, but with the vast complexity of the space shuttle and so many vested interests involved in the investigation, discovering the truth was an almost impossible challenge.

A truly independent member of the investigation was Richard Feynman. One of the most accomplished scientists of his generation, he worked on the Manhattan Project building the first atom bomb and won the Nobel Prize for his breakthroughs in quantum physics. Feynman deployed exceptional integrity, charm and relentless scientific logic to investigate the secrets of the shuttle disaster and, in doing so, helped make the US space program safer.

BBC Commissioning Editor, Science and Natural History Kim Shillinglaw said, "This is the gripping story of a brilliant physicist?s battle for scientific truth in the dark corridors of big government. With an impressive cast, including award-winning actor William Hurt, it promises to be a powerful factual drama for BBC Two and part of our mission to make science programmes ever more surprising and ambitious."

Science Channel GM, executive VP Debbie Myers said, "The Challenger disaster represents an indelible moment in American history - anyone who is old enough to recall it remembers exactly where they were when this terrible tragedy occurred. Science Channel is honoured to work with the incomparable William Hurt to tell the story of Richard Feynman, a true-life hero and one of most controversial scientific minds of our time."

Other cast confirmed include Canadian actor Bruce Greenwood who plays fellow Commissioner US Air Force General Donald Kutyna in the second lead role. He is joined by American actor Brian Dennehy who is playing William Rogers, Chairman of the Presidential Commission and English actress Joanne Whalley who is playing Feynman?s wife Gweneth.

MUMBAI: On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Television and US broadcaster Discovery have teamed up for the special Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero.

The six hour special commences airing on 25 August in the US. It showcases the men and women determined to rebuild and restore a sacred site, constructing the new, 104-story One World Trade Center.

Science Channel GM Debbie Myers said, "Discovery Channel is proud to be sharing this important story and transitional moment in the history of our country. With incredible access and deft storytelling, Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero captures a city and a country moving forward but never forgetting. September 11th is something we all share and Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero will be a touchstone for audiences to remember, reflect and look forward".

 
Coinciding with the 10 anniversary of 9/11, the special celebrates the grit, the drive and the audacious imagination of a wide array of builder, planner and dreamers bonded in grief but united in purpose. From the iron workers who lost brothers and friends to the architect envisions a new dawn for New York City to the family members who seek closure and solace, the special assembles a cast of real people facing the highest stakes in their professional lives - to meet their construction deadline and to do honor to the victims and their families.

The special takes a look at one of the most daunting construction jobs America has ever undertaken. Building four skyscrapers, a transportation hub, a museum and a memorial featuring the largest man-made waterfall in history - at the same time on the same site - presents an unprecedented set of engineering challenges.

From the design to the materials to the raw emotions and heavy hearts, the special chronicles the teamwork and innovation involved in reining in a beast of planning, timing and coordination. The special event series also looks at the rebirth of Lower Manhattan through the eyes of the residents who survived the horrors of 9/11 to reclaim and rebuild their neighbourhood.