BORN FOR THE LENS, BUILT FOR THE VAULT
PHOENIX UPDATES
Jaye Griffiths Joins the Cast of PHOENIX as Ros Shaw
Cinema Vault Studio is proud to announce that acclaimed British actress Jaye Griffiths has officially joined the cast of PHOENIX, taking on the pivotal role of Ros Shaw.
With a distinguished career spanning decades on television, Jaye has long been recognised as one of Britain's most accomplished screen performers. Her ability to bring intelligence, authority and emotional depth to complex characters has earned her the respect of audiences and colleagues alike, making her a natural fit for one of PHOENIX's most significant roles.
Ros Shaw sits at the very heart of the PHOENIX story.
As one of the principal architects behind the Phoenix Programme, Ros is driven by a belief that the 2018 Blackout Catastrophe exposed fundamental weaknesses within Britain's existing institutions. In the aftermath of the crisis, she finds herself defending a bold and deeply controversial proposal: the creation of an independent national division with the authority to act when conventional systems fail.
Her convictions are challenged in a tense and uncompromising government debate that forms PHOENIX's opening prologue. Rather than simply introducing the audience to the world of PHOENIX, the sequence explores profound questions surrounding power, accountability, institutional failure and the balance between liberty and security. The decisions made within that room become the philosophical foundation upon which the entire pilot is built.
Following a series of creative discussions, Jaye has embraced the direction of the project and has provided thoughtful observations that have helped further refine the screenplay as PHOENIX enters pre-production.
Principal photography on the standalone prologue is scheduled to begin during the second half of August 2026 and will reunite Jaye Griffiths with Craig McLachlan, who reprises the role of Ed Mitchell. Conceived as both a self-contained short for the festival circuit and the opening chapter of the PHOENIX proof-of-concept television pilot, the production represents the next major milestone in the project's development.
The long-term ambition for PHOENIX is to secure a broadcaster or streaming partner for the completed pilot. Should that not be realised, Cinema Vault Studio intends to complete the pilot independently and release it directly to audiences, ensuring the story reaches the screen regardless of the route taken.
The addition of Jaye Griffiths marks another significant milestone in the continued development of PHOENIX and reflects Cinema Vault Studio's commitment to bringing together exceptional talent in support of ambitious, character-driven storytelling.
We are honoured to welcome Jaye to PHOENIX and look forward to sharing further production updates as filming approaches.
Martina Avogadri Joins the Cast of PHOENIX as Jade Wilson
Cinema Vault Studio is delighted to announce that actress Martina Avogadri has officially joined the cast of PHOENIX in the pivotal role of Jade.
A London-based actress of Italian origin, Martina trained at the prestigious Paolo Grassi Drama School in Milan and has built an impressive career across film and television. Audiences may recognise her from the Netflix feature Lift, produced by Kevin Hart, in which she appeared alongside both Kevin Hart and acclaimed French actor Jean Reno. Her growing body of work showcases a performer capable of bringing intelligence, authenticity and emotional depth to a wide range of roles.
Jade stands at the heart of PHOENIX. A talented young detective on secondment from CID, she finds herself drawn into a conspiracy that reaches far beyond conventional policing after a devastating mission leaves her mentors missing and her world turned upside down. As the story unfolds, Jade's journey becomes one of resilience, courage and transformation, carrying the legacy of those who came before while helping shape the future of Phoenix itself.
Following a highly competitive casting process, Martina's audition immediately stood out. Her performance captured the determination, vulnerability and strength that define Jade, demonstrating a clear understanding of the character's emotional journey and the challenges she must overcome.
Richard Harber, creator of PHOENIX, said:
"From the moment we saw Martina's audition, it was clear she understood who Jade is at her core. The role demands someone who can carry both the emotional weight and the action-driven elements of the story, and Martina brought exactly that. We're incredibly excited to welcome her to the Phoenix family."
Martina joins a growing roster of established and emerging talent attached to the project as development continues on the PHOENIX proof-of-concept pilot. With discussions continuing across cast, crew and industry partners, the future of the project has never looked brighter.
The future rises.
PHOENIX is coming.
