Paramount UK network 5 has set Eleanor Tomlinson and Matthew Lewis to lead the cast for upcoming four-part mystery The Family Secret (w/t). From Lonesome Pine Productions in association with Sphere Abacus and North East Screen, the psychological drama asks: “What if your past isn’t what you think it is?”
Tomlinson (One Day, Poldark) stars as Amanda Blakefield, whose life is a happy one with her husband, Jimmy played by Lewis (Harry Potter, All Creatures Great and Small), and their son Luke (James Younger). Amanda has her world shattered after she is left an enormous inheritance by a man she has neither met nor heard of before. Her life starts to disintegrate as she becomes embroiled in the world of The Worrall Family. The patriarch, Martin Worrall (Denis Lawson – Bleak House, New Tricks), is head of a clan which is bound in past secrets. As Amanda’s story leads her further and further into the Northumbrian countryside, she begins to unravel the past. And all of their lives are turned upside down.
Further cast includes Rebecca Front (The Thick of It, Lewis) as Martin’s wife Fiona, with Callum Woodhouse (All Creatures Great and Small, The Durrells) as his son Anthony. Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks, Wild At Heart) joins as farm worker Boots Maddison, Paula Wilcox (Trying, Upstart Crow) is Amanda’s mother Linda, Danielle Walters (Chewing Gum, Kill Your Friends) her best friend Sandy, and Nina Wadia (Eastenders, Goodness Gracious Me) is solicitor Laura.
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The series is written by Aschlin Ditta (The Feud, The Inheritance, Doc Martin) and directed by Andy de Emmony (Vigil, The Feud, The Nest). Lesley Douglas is producing for Lonesome Pine, alongside Ellie Hill. Executive producers for Sphere Abacus are Jonathan Ford and Will Stapley. Sphere Abacus will distribute internationally.
On bringing this story to the 5 audience, Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 says: “The Family Secret explores the fragility of family and the ripple effects of long-buried truths, all anchored by a brilliant cast led by Eleanor Tomlinson. This is a drama that promises to keep audiences hooked from the very first minute and we’re delighted to work with Lonesome Pine again after the success of The Inheritance and The Feud.”
The Family Secret is currently filming across the North East of England and is set to air on 5 in 2026.