Channel 5

Before Paul Mescal became a blockbuster star in films like Gladiator II and Aftersun, he played a supporting role in a gripping Irish psychological thriller now streaming on Channel 5

Fans of the Heartthrob Irish actor, best known for his break out role in Normal People, should turn to this lesser known thriller for the perfect binge-watch.

Actor Paul Mescal who has since appeared in the likes of Gladiator II, Hamnet and Aftersun plays a supporting role in this TV series, portraying the character of Sean McKeogh, a local builder in Ireland and volunteer firefighter.

He serves as Ophelia, the protagonists’ confidant and the person she turns to for support as she attempts to uncover the truth behind a devastating death.

The Deceived, released in 2020, follows her time as a university student who becomes romantically entangled with her married lecturer Michael Callaghan, at Cambridge University. Although, her Irish lecturer is from the fictional village of Knockdara in County Donegal, where most of the show is set.

Inevitably, their affair spirals into tragedy, leaving her ensnared in an ever-growing web of deceit and gaslighting, caught up in a dangerous power struggle with her secret lover, and now, a murder case.

Written by the same writer behind the award-winning Irish television series Derry Girls, this show offers something entirely distinct, yet is every bit as deserving of a binge-watch session.

The Deceived is a 2020 mini-series that unfolds a psychological thriller across four episodes. Since its release, the Irish-British production has largely slipped under the radar, despite having a popular actor.

A review of the programme on IMDb compares the story to that of Rebecca, claiming that the show clearly draws on it as inspiration. They wrote: “This is a spooky thriller with obvious references to Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. I loved it.

“I don’t get the negative reviews. It had good twists and turns. I thought the acting was very good. I looked forward to each episode.

“It was rather unsettling at times, best watched in the company of someone else, not by yourself. If you like Rebecca you’ll love this. Loved the ending.”

Another reads: “This was a truly excellent four part drama, The Deceived is a smart, creepy, sinister series, which will have you gripped until its conclusion. I would agree with the comments about this having more than a hint of Rebecca about it, very much so, and despite being set in modern day, the story has a wonderful vintage feel to it, it could have been written in 1946.

“Very nicely produced, well made, very well acted indeed, Emmett J Scanlan gives a very good, captivating performance throughout.”

Joining Mescal in the cast are Emmet J Canlan as the lecturer and Emily Reid as the student, alongside Eleanor Methven, Catherine Walker and Ciara Berkeley. While critical reception has largely celebrated the performances of those involved, the majority of complaints appear to be directed at weaknesses in the script and storyline.

A critic points out: “The script is very underwhelming as some conversations are awkward and cut way too short with unanswered questions. It’s very unnatural and makes everyone seem odd and disconnected from each other.”

As a series that flew largely under the radar following its ill-timed release during the pandemic, it seems the show is still waiting to reach the wider audience it deserves. If nothing else, devoted Paul Mescal fans would do well to seek it out and witness one of his lesser-known early roles, before he rose to become the Hollywood heavyweight he is today.

All four episodes of The Deceived are available to stream now for free on Channel 5.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Hollyoaks star Emma Rigby says she’d like to ‘sit down’ with Andrews and discover what she is willing to admit to, 30 years after the crime

The actress who plays Tracie Andrews in a new drama about the 1996 “road rage” killing of her fiancé Lee Harvey has revealed her desire to interview the convicted murderer about what really happened.

Emma Rigby, best known for her role as Hannah Ashworth in Hollyoaks, said: “I would love to make a documentary following a sit down between the two of us. I have so many questions for her. She has never told the truth on camera, it would be interesting to see what story she would tell now.”

Emma, who also starred in BBC1’s Prisoners’ Wives, was seven years old at the time of Lee’s death and knew nothing about the case before being approached for the role. To prepare, she watched many documentaries and read the book Pure Evil by Lee’s mother Maureen., played in the drama by The Witcher’s Jo Marriott.

An “avid consumer of true crime”, Emma she found Andrews’ psychology to be “fascinating” – but struggled to find one iota of sympathy for her. “The most chilling moments are when we used transcripts of what Tracie actually said,” she explained. “Her tone is terrifying and her lack of remorse is extremely sad. Tracie is the very definition of chilling. Her behaviour is shockingly unbelievable.”

The 90-minute drama, Suspect: The Road Rage Killer, will show how Tracie, then 27, was so desperate to find fame as a model, that she enjoyed being centre of attention at the press conference – even though she would quickly expose herself as a suspect rather than a witness.

“Tracie has many facets, her wanting to be on camera was one of them,” Emma says. “It was important to show how Tracie’s demise was essentially giving the camera too much.”

She said that playing her meant getting right into her head, where she found no redeeming features. “I can believe that in her way she loved Lee, and relate to a toxic situation masquerading as an all-consuming love, but this does not extend to sympathy for her actions,” Emma said. “The more I consumed, the more horrified I became. Each new detail that emerged was more shocking than the last, it makes for a gripping drama.”

Thirty years ago, Andrews was found covered in blood next to the body of her fiance Lee on a dark country lane near to their home in Alvechurch, Worcestershire. She was later found to have stabbed him in the neck and chest 42 times during an argument as they drove home from a local pub. The crime was pre-meditated, as she had hidden a knife inside her boot.

Having murdered the man she was due to marry, Andrews concocted a story about a road rage incident and said that Lee had been killed by a man in another car with “starey eyes”. But this unravelled when she contradicted statements she’d already made at the televised press conference.

The actress has struggled to understand how Andrews can have launched such a frenzied attack on bus-driver Lee, 25, who she claimed to adore. “I can believe that in her way she loved Lee, and relate to a toxic situation masquerading as an all-consuming love, but this does not extend to sympathy for her actions,” Emma said.

After being given a life sentence for murder, Andrews served the minimum 14 years before being released in 2011. Now living under the name Jenna Stephens in a southern coastal town, she married bouncer and dad-of-two Phil Goldsworthy in 2017. Two years after she was jailed Andrews, who had a history of violent attacks on her partner, admitted to killing Lee, but insisted it was done in self-defence.

Emma, 36, said it was shocking how little remorse Andrews showed over what she had done. “The key element is Tracie’s apathy – which is offset by her complete conviction to come out on top, whatever the cost.”

The actress said she’d loved getting her teeth into the meaty role, and hopes it will lead to more challenging parts being offered to her. “I hope it will reveal a whole new dimension to what I can do,” she said. “Tracie is my first onscreen role playing a real person and is someone many people are familiar with, due to the iconic press conference. I wanted to give a raw and very real performance,” she explained. “As an actor I had the most enjoyable time playing Tracie; I really loved the grit.”

– Under Suspicion: Tracie Andrews – Lover, Liar, Killer, Channel 5, Monday 13 July, 9pm

Based on chilling true story all episodes are streaming for free

A ‘phenomenal’ series that blends period drama with spine-chilling horror has been hailed by devoted fans as a ‘televisual masterpiece’.

Remarkably, the show is also rooted in a genuinely unsettling true story — and even better, it can be streamed right now at no additional cost.

At the time of writing, The Terror is currently available on both ITVX and Channel 5. The former additionally hosts its second season, though that particular instalment follows an entirely different storyline.

A third season was released in the US earlier this year, subtitled Devil In Silver. However, this chapter was adapted from a novel and has yet to reach UK audiences.

In the meantime, viewers can revisit the series from the very beginning. The Terror is a historical anthology drama, with its first two seasons drawing upon real-life events, though both remain fictionalised interpretations, reports OK!

Legendary director Ridley Scott serves as executive producer across both seasons. The opening season charts the journey of Royal Navy polar expedition vessels HMS Erebus and HMS Terror as they venture into uncharted waters, resolute in their mission to locate and confirm the existence of the fabled Northwest Passage.

The ships soon become trapped in ice, leaving the crew to endure savage conditions and mounting internal tensions, all while being stalked by a terrifying and mysterious presence. It draws inspiration from the actual 1845 Franklin Expedition, where those two vessels genuinely became trapped in ice within the Arctic while seeking the Northwest Passage.

However, the programme dramatises the potential terrors they might have encountered.

Meanwhile, the second series, titled Infamy, takes place along America’s western coastline during the Second World War, delving into Japanese bakemono folklore – a malevolent phantom that torments a Japanese American community from Southern California through to internment camps and Pacific battlefields.

Audiences have heaped praise upon the series, particularly its opening instalment. One enthusiast proclaimed: “It’s such a masterpiece that I watched it twice, back to back.”

Another added: “I binge-watched season one, couldn’t stop. Amazing performances.”

A fellow admirer wrote online: “I have watched a lot of horror shows and movies…but nothing makes me feel dread and unease like this one. The pacing is perfect, the atmosphere bleak, the music beautifully haunting, the dialogue is fantastic, and the story is amazing. Best horror show of all time for me.”

Meanwhile, one viewer declared: “Quite simply, a televisual masterpiece, mixing true-life tragedy, fictional horror and majestic period thriller. A magnificent accomplishment.”

Another viewer chimed in: “This is a remarkable series, which takes on a journey of suspicion, disaster, tragedy and terror. The first episode didn’t exactly captivate me, but by episode three I was obsessed, and subsequently had to binge watch the whole series.”

The Terror is streaming on ITVX and Channel 5.

Peter Davison, who played Tristan Farnon in the original All Creatures Great and Small, went on to become the fifth Doctor Who – and his family is just as star-studded, with daughter Georgia married to David Tennant

The original All Creatures Great and Small star who played Tristan Farnon is related to a very famous television star.

The reimagined version of the beloved period drama is set to return to Channel 5 later this year for its seventh series, accompanied by a Christmas special which has already wrapped filming, according to Siegfried actor Samuel West.

The revamped programme premiered in September 2020, following the adventures of veterinary surgeon James Herriot (portrayed by Nicholas Ralph) as he navigates relationships with local farming folk and cares for their livestock throughout the Yorkshire Dales, while developing feelings for a farmer’s daughter.

Spirited assistant vet Tristan Farnon is brought to life by Callum Woodhouse in the contemporary version, who has previously featured in Cold Feet, The Durrells, and, more recently, The Fortune.

Running from 1978 to 1990, the original All Creatures Great and Small series premiered on the BBC, inspired by the working life of Alf Wight, the renowned Yorkshire veterinary surgeon who adopted the pseudonym James Herriot, reports Wales Online.

His real-life encounters and anecdotes were chronicled in a collection of books that were later transformed into the television phenomenon.

What happened to the original Tristan from All Creatures Great and Small?

In the first adaptation, when James Herriot, brought to life by Christopher Timothy, relocated to the Dales, he secured employment with no-nonsense veterinary practitioner Siegfried Farnon (Robert Hardy) at Skeldale House.

This brought James into contact with numerous colourful personalities in the village, including Siegfried’s younger brother, Tristan Farnon, an eager member of the practice and a character viewers adored throughout the programme’s 12-year duration.

Tristan was played by none other than actor Peter Davison, who has enjoyed a decades-long career.

The 75-year-old, hailing from London, is perhaps most recognised for his portrayal of the lead role in the science fiction series Doctor Who.

From 1981 to 1984, Peter embodied the fifth Doctor, who became instantly famed for his cricket-themed attire. He held the mantle of the legendary Time Lord for three years before actor Colin Baker took over.

He’s also celebrated for portraying David in At Home with the Braithwaites, DC Davies in The Last Detective, and CPS Director Henry Sharpe in Law and Order: UK.

Beyond Paradise viewers will recall Peter as Richard Baxter in the second series of the BBC detective programme, which broadcast in 2024. His latest appearances include The Gold, The Larkins, and Gentleman Jack.

Family life

Off-screen, Peter is married to actress and writer Elizabeth Heery. The pair tied the knot in 2003 and have two sons together, Louis and Joel.

Both lads have pursued careers in acting like their parents, with Louis appearing in Holby City as Parker Whitfield, Poldark as Geoffrey Charles, and in Vikings: Valhalla as Prince Edmund. Most recently, Louis portrayed Leo Quinn in the BBC series Death in Paradise, which broadcast earlier this year on BBC One.

Meanwhile, his brother Joel has appeared in the series Mammoth, The F1rst Team, and the podcast series Doctor Who: Stranded.

Peter isn’t the sole Doctor Who star in his family, as his daughter, actress Georgia, is wed to the tenth Doctor, David Tennant. Peter had Georgia with his ex-wife, Sandra Dickinson, an American actress who has featured in Batman.

Following an audition for an earlier episode of the sci-fi series, Georgia, 41, secured the role of Jenny in the 2008 episode, ‘The Doctor’s Daughter’ – a rather fitting coincidence.

Throughout filming, David, 55, relished working alongside her on set, and following their introduction, Georgia was particularly taken. In 2020, the couple featured on That Gaby Roslin Podcast, where they discussed the beginning of their relationship.

“I very much forced it into happening, didn’t I?” said Georgia. “I was very much the driving force. Had I not worked quite so hard, it might not have happened.”

David responded: “That makes it sound like I was resistant, which was not what happened. I thought we were an unlikely life partnership, I suppose. There is a bit of an age gap.

“Because Doctor Who had run through my life like a stick of rock, to end up marrying the daughter of one of the Doctors, it all felt a bit stupid… that wasn’t really likely to happen. So there were a lot of things against it.”

The pair shares five children together: Olive, Wilfred, Doris, Birdie, and Georgia’s eldest child, Ty.

All Creatures Great and Small is available to stream on Channel 5

Reuben Owen will be going head-to-head against Jess’ dad in tonight’s Season 3 finale.

Reuben Owen Life in the Dales is almost over once again – but there’s a silver lining.

Spreading his wings away from his family’s original Channel 5 show Our Yorkshire Farm, eldest son Reuben Owen takes centre stage in his own series Life in the Dales.

The ambitious 22-year-old entrepreneur has been continuing to tackle building up their plant machinery and groundwork business with help from his friends and girlfriend Jess.

Season 3’s ninth episode and grand finale airs tonight, Tuesday, June 30, spelling the end of the popular docu-series with no confirmation of a fourth outing just yet. However, fans of the young Yorkshire farmer will be thrilled by its Channel 5 replacement on TV schedules next week.

Series 3 might be ending but next Tuesday, July 7, fans are going to be treated to a repeat episode from Reuben Owen Life in the Dales Season 2.

The instalment that’s taking up the primetime slot at 8pm will be episode seven where Reuben celebrates his 21st birthday with a vintage tractor journey. His girlfriend Jess also organises a cute surprise of balloons and a cake which is secretly transported under his best friend Tommy McWhirter’s tractor engine.

As of yet though, it isn’t clear if this is just a one-off repeat of Life in the Dales or if Channel 5 is going to continue airing episodes every Tuesday.

But before fans step back in time, there is the Season 3 finale to get excited about. The official synopsis for tonight’s episode reads: “With lambing season well underway, Reuben and Jess race to stock-proof the fences at Brough Castle Farm before more than 300 newborn lambs arrive in the fields.

“However, when Reuben challenges Jess’s dad Dave to a battle of man versus machine, Jess is left caught in the middle.

“Capper and Sonny attempt to breathe life back into a vintage tractor, but getting it to run proves tricky.”

Reuben Owen Life in the Dales is available to watch on Channel 5.

All Creatures Great and Small is returning to Channel 5 for a new season and Christmas special

All Creatures Great and Small fans are in for a treat as Samuel West shares an exciting update.

The much-loved period drama premiered its sixth season in September 2025, before returning with an emotional episode on Christmas Eve.

The Channel 5 show has been confirmed to return for series seven and eight, each comprising six one-hour episodes, plus Christmas specials.

The newest season of All Creatures Great and Small, based on James Herriot’s books chronicling his life as a vet in rural Yorkshire, is expected to pick up from the 2025 festive special.

On Thursday (June 25), Siegfried Farnon star Samuel West confirmed that filming for the newest Christmas instalment had finished on what was the hottest day of the year.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Samuel shared two photos of the cast and crew, including Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton, who play James and Helen Herriot.

He captioned the post: “We wrapped today on the Christmas episode, on the hottest June day in this country’s history, and as far away from December 25 as it is possible to be.

“Here’s Chanel with the final slate, and the Herriot/Alderson family with all of them.”

Fans have wasted no time in sharing their excitement for new episodes, with one person writing: “I’m so looking forward to series 7. I also can’t wait for series 2 of Sam and Ade go birding.”

A second added, “We are very, very grateful for the hard work in these extreme temperatures to bring us a wonderful series and another Christmas special!”

A third chimed in: “Thank you all, absolutely love ACGAS!!! We do appreciate you all working in hot conditions.”

When will Season 7 be released?

With a fresh series of the drama arriving every year since 2020, with Season 5 debuting in September and Season 1 in October, new episodes could well arrive in autumn.

While Channel 5 is currently keeping the plot details of All Creatures Great and Small Season 7 firmly under wraps, Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at 5, has teased that there are “many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead”.

Barnett said: “All Creatures Great and Small is a jewel in 5’s drama crown and continues to delight viewers year after year. Its warmth, humour and heart, set against the beauty of Yorkshire, have made it a firm audience favourite.

“We’re thrilled to extend its future with two more series, with many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead for our Skeldale family.”

All Creatures Great and Small is available to stream on Channel 5.

Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen has been a firm favourite on our screens for years

Amanda Owen rose to prominence on the much-loved series Our Yorkshire Farm.

The Channel 5 programme launched in 2018, chronicling Amanda’s experiences at Ravenseat Farm alongside her ex-husband Clive and their nine children. The show has since become one of the broadcaster’s most-watched offerings.

Channel 4 subsequently commissioned a ten-part series titled Our Farm Next Door, which documents the family as they renovate a 200-year-old farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales.

The third series broadcast earlier this year, with a further instalment on the way.

As Our Farm Next Door prepares to air a repeat episode this evening (Friday, June 26), here’s everything you need to know about Amanda Owen’s life beyond the cameras, reports Yorkshire Live.

Heartbreaking losses

Amanda and her family have endured several painful losses at the farm. In 2022, the Owens bid farewell to their cherished dog, Kate, who died peacefully in her sleep.

In a series of tweets at the time, Amanda said she was “mourning” her “faithful workmate, companion, colleague and friend,” adding: “I miss her”.

Additionally, an emotional Amanda supported her children through the loss of their treasured horse, Little Joe. “Eventually, all life will come to an end, right? Anything can die; life is a truly fragile thing,” she noted.

In a previous episode of Our Farm Next Door, Amanda also battled to contain her emotions after discovering that their family dog, Chalky, had passed away.

When reflecting on the moment she learned the news, the mother of nine said: “It was really clear and obvious that Chalky was fading away. When the children came running out of the house saying that Chalky had passed away, they were absolutely bereft, and they knew it was coming, and I knew it was coming.”

Health struggles

The Yorkshire Shepherdess has spoken candidly about her struggle with an eating disorder that left her fearing for her life.

Amanda previously told Daily Mail: “I just shut down. Physical and mental health are intertwined and anxiety, depression, paranoia, agoraphobia and an eating disorder were all smooshed into one.”

She added: “I remember sitting in the sheep pens in the dark, just hiding. It’s the price you pay for living your life in the open, for being observed. It’s like having a post mortem before you’re dead.”

The television star revealed that she was repeatedly in and out of hospital during what she described as a “critical time”, with her former partner, Clive, even worrying that Amanda might not make it through to the following morning.

Amanda has since reassured her followers with the welcome news that she is “out of the woods”.

More recently, Amanda found herself back at hospital after her son, Miles, suffered a medical emergency on the farm due to his type one diabetes.

“It’s been a hard few days but we’re all here to tell the tale. I’m super proud of you @milesowen86,” the star wrote on Instagram, prompting an outpouring of support from her devoted fans.

Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids is available to stream on Channel 4

Little Disasters is a gripping Channel 5 drama series that has been keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Channel 5 audiences have been gripped as they follow the compelling series Little Disasters, starring EastEnders‘ Jo Joyner, Bridgerton’s Shelley Conn and The Office’s Patrick Baladi.

The six-part drama chronicles the lives of four friends who have been close for a decade. Yet their bond faces its ultimate test when a single incident transforms everything.

When one of the women, Jess (Diane Kruger), brings their baby daughter to hospital with an unexplained head injury, her close friend and A&E doctor Liz (Jo) finds herself with no option but to alert social services.

This triggers a devastating domino effect as the pressures of motherhood, hidden truths and feelings of guilt are all laid bare in the Channel 5 drama.

Meanwhile, the central question persists: what truly happened to the baby to cause her injury?

The concluding episode of the series is scheduled to broadcast this week, with revelations that could potentially shatter the group completely unveiled, reports the Express.

Last year, actress Jo posted some behind-the-scenes photographs from her time filming the programme, including shots of her alongside castmates wearing prosthetic pregnancy bumps in a flashback sequence.

Another image captured Jo wearing a pink wig, which was donned by Emily Taaffe in one episode. Further snaps featured the cast relaxing during breaks, sharing meals and enjoying games.

Others show Jo smiling at the camera sporting various hairstyles. She captioned the post: “What I did last summer…! After three months in Malta, I had two weeks at home before heading off to Budapest to film the first half of #littledisasters an adaptation of the gripping novel by @svaughanauthor. It was just long enough for me to change my hair from blonde to dark brown with the help of Tracy @westgate_salon & @racoonintl”.

“Filming in 38 degrees in the bustling city surrounded by a wealth of talent. Sitting next to a beautiful and talented Chanel model every morning in makeup, whilst having broken veins and dark circles painted on me, did nothing for my ego.

“But getting to play the down-to-earth, capable and witty Liz more than made up for it. Blessed to have spent the hours off set having great meals, hikes and conversation, and not to forget, crosswords- with the best of cast mates, glad and grateful for the visits from friends and family @n1cky00.

“Yes, we did all try the pink wig on! Choosing baby bumps is harder than you’d think. After spending the first half of the year away, it was a joy to come home and film the remainder in Richmond last summer.”

Little Disasters is currently available to stream on Channel 5.

The EastEnders actress leads the cast in the six-part psychological thriller

A gripping mystery drama featuring an EastEnders icon is now available to watch for free.

Little Disasters, previously described as a “complex psychological thriller with a mystery at its heart”, lands on Channel 5 tomorrow (June 14), after initially premiering on Paramount+ last May.

EastEnders favourite Jo Joyner, widely recognised for her iconic portrayal of Tanya Branning, heads up the cast alongside Hollywood star Diane Kruger.

Based on Sarah Vaughan’s bestselling novel of the same title, the series charts the decade-long bond between Jess (Diane Kruger), Liz (Jo Joyner), Charlotte (Shelley Conn) and Mel (Emily Taaffe).

The story follows four expectant mothers who were brought together with little in common beyond their due dates, yet have supported each other throughout the journey of motherhood, reports Wales Online.

As the synopsis reveals: “The world of seemingly perfect stay-at-home mother Jess begins to unravel when she brings her baby daughter Betsy to the hospital with a head injury she can’t explain.

“Her close friend and on-duty AandE doctor, Liz, must make the excruciating decision of whether to call social services.”

This pivotal moment sets off a chain of events that threatens to tear apart both their friendship circle and their individual families.

The Little Disasters cast also features Ben Bailey Smith from The Split, alongside Patrick Baladi (Line of Duty), Stephen Campbell Moore (The Gold), and JJ Feild (The Peripheral).

Discussing the programme, Jo previously revealed that this style of storytelling not only inspired her to accept the role, but is unlike anything she had previously encountered on television.

She said: “I know somebody who suffered with postnatal OCD and I had only recently found out about it myself. So, I thought it was a really great topic to explore actually.

“Any kind of postnatal depression must be horrendous, I was lucky I didn’t suffer from it myself. I can’t imagine having such intrusive thoughts about your own child and I think that was another brilliant thing to bring up but also serves well for a thriller, doesn’t it?”.

The six-part series remains available for streaming on Paramount+, but will also broadcast on Channel 5 from this weekend, with the opening episode debuting in the 9pm slot on Sunday, 14 June.

Predictably, viewers have wasted little time making their feelings known, with one writing: “Worth the binge! #littledisasters.”

Another commented: “#littledisasters is everything I needed…” Meanwhile a third added: “Good show, oh my days, the suspense got me.”

Little Disasters premiered on Paramount+, and will air on Channel 5 on Sunday, 14 June.

The Fortune has come to an end on Channel 5, with Eleanor Tomlinson and Matthew Lewis starring in the gripping four-part thriller

Channel 5 thriller The Fortune has wrapped up, with a new programme set to take over its timeslot from next week.

Poldark star Eleanor Tomlinson led the cast alongside Harry Potter alumnus Matthew Lewis in the nail-biting drama.

The series centred on her character Amanda, a woman whose seemingly flawless life begins to unravel after she inherits a mysterious fortune.

The four-part series reached its conclusion on Wednesday, June 10, with Amanda uncovering the secrets behind the enigma as the truth finally emerged, reports Wales Online.

The Fortune ending explained

Amanda was concerned with the disappearance of her mother Linda from her care home, while also dealing with her husband Jimmy disappearing.

Initially, she feared the worst, and confronted Sandy about secret meetings with Jimmy, only to find out that he only wanted Sandy to pressure Amanda to keep the money.

As she struggles to know what to do, and is warned not to contact the police, Amanda tries to find clues from the box of photographs she was sent.

She also gets a call from Fiona, who wants to take 50% of the money from Amanda, and cut out Anthony from the deal.

Amanda eventually manages to track down Jimmy’s last known location but while hoping to find him, is threatened by Anthony, who wants more of the money’s share.

Secrets continue to disrupt Anthony and Fiona’s relationship, as at their home, she finds a shirt full of blood, though he offers no explanation.

Amanda, on her way to find Jimmy, locates her mum in an old fishing hut that was pictured in one of the photos, but Linda isn’t alone.

She finds a stranger there, later confirmed to be Barry, with Linda revealing that Barry is actually Amanda’s dad, who she thought was dead for decades.

All along, Barry had wanted Amanda to keep the money for herself, explaining that the money had originally been his, but Martin had taken it for himself.

Martin had also asked Boots to kill Barry, but Barry had set up a trap and escaped, leaving Amanda thinking he was dead.

Barry also reveals he had asked Jimmy to help him, who returns, apologising to Amanda for keeping secrets.

Going to meet Anthony and Fiona at their estate, Amanda gets a call from their lawyer, who informs them that Anthony isn’t really Martin’s son.

Confronting them, Amanda tells the truth about the Worrall’s money, that it actually came from her dad.

Though Fiona had no idea of the truth, Anthony tries to hide behind lies and denies killing Boots, but Barry walks in, a ghost from the past.

In a moment of despair, Anthony threatens to shoot Fiona and Barry, before pointing the gun at himself.

The final scenes, after Linda’s heartbreaking death in the fishing hut, see Amanda return to Sandy’s to ask for her job back, and revealing she accepted the money, but let Fiona keep the house.

The Fortune’s replacement confirmed

The Fortune has been airing on Channel 5 for two weeks, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Next week on Tuesday, June 16, after Reuben Owens: Life in the Dales slots at 8pm, Little Disasters airs at 9pm on Channel 5.

Its synopsis reads: “As the investigation continues, shocking discoveries are made. Cracks form in the Carrisford family as their friends become increasingly involved, and hidden secrets come to light.”

Then on Wednesday, at the same time, a repeat episode of Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death will air, as per Freeview.

The Fortune is available to watch on My5.

Channel 5’s The Fortune is set to come to an end this week, but viewers have been blasting the latest episode.

*This article contains spoilers for the latest episode of The Fortune*

Further turmoil appears imminent for Amanda Blakefield (portrayed by Eleanor Tomlinson) following a sinister development in the most recent instalment of Channel 5’s new series, The Fortune.

During Tuesday evening’s broadcast (June 9), audiences witnessed the consequences of Boots’ (Stephen Tompkinson) sudden demise as Amanda escaped to her spouse, revealing she’d concealed from authorities that he’d been shot, worried she’d face accusations.

Yet when she returned to his residence the following day accompanied by her closest friend, Sandy (Danielle Walters), Amanda was stunned to discover his corpse had vanished, and the entire property had been thoroughly cleaned.

Fleeing the location, the camera revealed Anthony Worrall (Callum Woodhouse) concealed nearby, watching from the darkness. Subsequently in the episode, Anthony received a shocking revelation from his mother, reports Wales Online.

During their exchange, she disclosed that Amanda couldn’t possibly be his father’s secret daughter, as he was incapable of fathering children himself. She informed him that Boots was his biological father, explaining they’d adopted him as a youngster.

Devastated by this revelation and refusing to accept what he’d learned, Anthony fled the property. Later, he was shown placing stones into a bag containing Boots’ lifeless body before submerging him in the lake.

Did he murder Boots, or is he protecting somebody else?

Anthony wasn’t alone in facing family turmoil, as Amanda was left shocked when her mum’s care home telephoned, reporting she’d fled the premises. However, Amanda instinctively suspected she’d been abducted by someone.

As the programme concluded, it showed her mum conversing with Amanda’s husband Jimmy (Matthew Lewis) in the rear of a taxi while his hands were tied together. Surprisingly, they were both talking to the taxi driver who had previously transported Amanda on several occasions throughout the series.

Despite the episode’s unexpected developments, some viewers appeared disappointed by the show’s pacing, with one person commenting: “#TheFortune #Channel5 Why is it so s-l-o-w!”

Another wrote: “I really, really wanted to like this … Waste of a good cast #thefortune channel 5.” While a third person questioned: “Can anyone remember Episode 2 of #thefortune? It’s been so long since it was on. Why didn’t C5 just put this on across four days, like they normally do? And if not, just stick it all online from day one.”

Though one viewer championed the programme, stating: “Episode three of #TheFortune tonight. Should be good.”

It appears viewers won’t have much longer to discover what awaits Amanda as the series reaches its conclusion this week.

The Fortune continues Wednesday June 10 on Channel 5 from 9pm

The Fortune viewers were left scratching their heads over the latest episode of the Channel 5 drama

The Fortune viewers were left baffled as the psychological drama progressed on Channel 5, with many questioning the storyline.

The series focuses on waitress Amanda Blakefield (portrayed by Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson) whose life is transformed when she discovers she’s set to inherit a substantial estate from a total stranger.

Amanda clashes with the wealthy man’s relatives, including son Anthony, portrayed by All Creatures Great and Small star Callum Woodhouse, and also experiences difficulties with her own husband Jimmy (Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis), who is receiving mysterious phone calls.

In the opening episode of the series, Amanda becomes trapped in a vehicle with a man named Boots who delivers her a menacing warning. She escapes and rushes home, but in the second episode chooses to return to the location and break into his eerie cottage during the middle of the night – alone – to investigate.

Audiences were left bewildered by the choice, with one describing it as “daft” and another observing that she was “messing with fire”, reports Wales Online.

“Who goes wandering at night and enters the house of someone who had threatened her?” one viewer questioned on X, as another stated: “He has already threatened her, so she goes to see him on her own at night.”

“She was (scared) last night in the taxi and here she is alone wandering around his house in the dark,” another posted on the platform, formerly known as Twitter.

“Now she’s being daft again,” remarked another viewer.

“Typical TV drama derangement syndrome. Do they: (a) consult a solicitor? (b) report threats and kidnapping to the police? No! It’s always (c) do it yourself and barge in uninvited to dangerous situations without telling anyone else.”

“Don’t think I’d want to be wandering around there at the dead of night,” admitted one viewer, as another posted: “Amanda’s messing with fire.”

Yet others were thoroughly gripped by the nail-biting mystery, with one declaring the episode “went with a bang” and another describing it as “interesting”. “I enjoyed it,” wrote one viewer, adding: “Good cast.”

Another gave it a firm thumbs up, while someone else commented: “Episode 2 so far is much better than the ludicrous episode 1.”

The Fortune is airing on Channel 5.

Eleanor Tomlinson, Matthew Lewis and Callum Woodhouse star in Channel 5 series The Fortune

Viewers of The Fortune were left disappointed as the new psychological drama made its debut on Channel 5.

The series centres on waitress Amanda Blakefield, portrayed by Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson, whose world is thrown into chaos when a solicitor arrives at her workplace to inform her she stands to inherit a vast estate from a complete stranger.

She continues to dodge the solicitor yet pays a visit to the deceased man’s widow Fiona (Rebecca Front) and son Anthony, played by All Creatures Great and Small’s Callum Woodhouse, who are outraged and make abundantly clear their intention to contest it.

Meanwhile, Amanda’s husband Jimmy (Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis) appears to be embroiled in a mystery of his own, repeatedly receiving suspicious phone calls.

As the opening episode aired on Tuesday night (June 2), numerous viewers took to X to voice their scepticism, with some calling the storyline into question, reports Wales Online.

“Wouldn’t they phone her and ask her into their office instead of just barging into her workplace?” wondered one viewer.

Another posted on the platform, formerly known as Twitter: “How to sort out an unexpected inheritance: (a) consult a solicitor, and get it sorted out; or: (b) throw away the solicitor’s letter and barge in uninvited to a grieving family.”

One viewer branded the show “a dud” while another confessed: “Oh I really want to like this but so far I’m struggling.”

“This is absolute s***e,” insisted another viewer, as one posted: “Mrs Poldark the only thing saving this so far…”

“Channel 5 either do b****y brilliant dramas or shockingly bad am/dram… #thefortune is tipping ever so slowly to the latter… ludicrous,” remarked another viewer, while one complained about the “exaggerated sighs” and “pauses”.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph awarded it merely one star out of five in its review, branding it “rubbish”.

Yet others felt the series – shot on location across Hartlepool, Northumberland, Newcastle and north Yorkshire last year – showed potential.

“So far looking good,” observed one viewer. Another highlighted the impressive ensemble, which also features Denis Lawson, Stephen Tompkinson, Paula Wilcox, Danielle Walters and Nina Wadia.

“It’s got a really good cast too,” they wrote. “Well known faves.”

The Fortune is airing on Channel 5.

The Fortune sees a woman mysteriously inherit £2 million and a country estate from a stranger.

The Fortune has landed on Channel 5, with audiences eager to discover everything about the drama.

Following the unexpected inheritance of a substantial fortune from a stranger, mother and wife Amanda (portrayed by Eleanor Tomlinson) finds herself in conflict with the deceased man’s relatives.

She simultaneously starts uncovering the truth regarding her own family’s sinister history, which may shed light on why she’s been selected as the beneficiary of the enigmatic man’s estate.

Where was The Fortune on Channel 5 filmed?

Filming for Channel 5’s The Fortune occurred during autumn 2025 across Hartlepool, Northumberland, Newcastle and North Yorkshire.

The bulk of shooting took place in Hartlepool, with the historic Headland district serving as a crucial location.

Another significant filming venue was Hartlepool Marina, where the exterior alongside local establishments and eateries were utilised to depict Amanda’s everyday existence.

The programme’s principal production headquarters was also situated in Hartlepool at The Northern Studios on Lynn Street.

Certain scenes were additionally captured in Newcastle, with the drama produced by Newcastle-based Lonesome Pine Productions.

The cast and crew travelled to Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, where the mid-Victorian country residence Cleveland Lodge served as the Worrall family estate in the Channel 5 series.

The Grade II listed building was constructed between 1848 and 1851 and sits within approximately 35 acres of private parkland, featuring paddocks and a tennis court. Meanwhile, the more rural and coastal scenes were shot in and around the Northumberland region.

All Creatures Great and Small star Callum Woodhouse, who plays vengeful son Anthony Worrall in the series, hails originally from Stockton in the North East.

The Hartlepool Mail reported Woodhouse describing the experience of filming The Fortune as something of “a homecoming”.

He said: “Obviously, staying with my parents and filming in places I grew up visiting was a huge draw, but also being able to do something set in the modern day was really exciting.

“We were filming just over the road from where my mum works, so we’d meet up for lunch sometimes.”

The Fortune is available to watch on Channel 5.

Laura Bayston has revealed a certain scene felt like a ‘punch in the gut’ as she portrays Kate McCann in a new drama surrounding the case of missing girl, Madeleine McCann

A brand new drama following the interrogation of Kate McCann over her missing daughter, Madeleine, in 2007 is to air on 5, and actress Laura Bayston has revealed the toughness of a particular scene.

The star portrays Kate in factual drama, Under Suspicion. The story begins three months into the search to find Madeleine. With Portuguese police showing no substantial leads, no real evidence, and having made no arrests in the hunt for the missing tot, Madeleine’s mother, Kate, is summoned for a meeting. And it’s soon apparent that she is now the one being accused.

And Laura admits that a certain scene was tough to digest. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Laura said it left her with a feeling like a “punch in the guts”.

READ MORE: Susanna Reid ‘didn’t sleep for two weeks’ after Madeleine McCann disappearanceREAD MORE: ‘I thought about Madeleine every day’ – actress speaks out on playing Kate McCann in new TV drama

She explained: “It’s the scene when Kate is presented with an offer by the police, which is to confess. As an actor having to respond to the dialog, it was very affecting, you know? In the way that it was a very claustrophobic environment.”

Laura said that while it felt very safe for her as an actor, it was “a very claustrophobic environment in terms of where we were at in the story and what was actually happening”. “And the enormity of it,” she went on.

“It was just a real, absolute, I can’t describe it any other way, it just felt like a massive punch in the guts when that was offered to Kate. It really even today it gets to me It was really shocking.”

While Laura says she was just doing a job and has taken on challenging roles previously, she admits this part will stick with her. “It’s been hard to switch off from this one,” she confessed.

“I will be honest with you, I think it sits just below the surface of my skin, and it always will. And yeah, leaves me with goose bumps thinking about it, you know. I just I think, because I was so invested in the case when it happened, because of my children.”

But she admits her decision to take on the role was not one she took lightly. She says she only did so after knowing the production was being made for the “right reasons”. “I mean it’s a big role…,” she said.

“It was emotionally challenging, but I’ve played emotionally challenging roles before.” She went on: “I think, as an actor, physicality and emotions, it all kind of becomes one thing, but to play a role like this, you have to remember that at the heart of it this is a real life case.

“This is a real woman who is still alive, who’s still with us. It’s still a story, and [you have] to be mindful of that throughout. The entirety was really important to me, and to be as respectful as possible.”

And in an emotional message to viewers, Laura wants those watching to remember “there’s always another side to the story”. She added: “You don’t always react and respond how you think you’re going to react and respond, and it seems to me there’s been a lot of knee-jerk reactions to this from day one, and people will make their opinions public, and whether we want them or not, but no one truly knows, and ultimately, you know, Madeline is still missing, and, and that’s it.

“This happened, and this is based on evidence and it’s based on the transcripts, and it was thoroughly researched, so people can take from it what they like, really, because what we’ve done is present a script as honestly as possible, as truthfully as possible.”

The drama looks at official statements and recorded testimony and depicts Kate’s interrogation, as Portuguese investigators face mounting pressure to deliver answers.

Madeleine vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal in May 2007. Kate and husband Gerry McCann were cleared of any wrongdoing in 2008 after they found themselves wrongly accused of a cover up.

Kate found herself trapped between co-operation and self-preservation as she was confronted by detectives facing hours and hours of questioning.

Under Suspicion: Kate McCann, airs Wednesday 20th May, 9pm on 5