Channel 4 has unveiled a first look at Hunting Alice Bell, a new psychological thriller arriving this autumn – and it's already on my watchlist.
The six-part series, created by comedian David Baddiel and film critic Peter Bradshaw, boasts a star-studded cast including Death in Paradise favourite Ralf Little, Nightsleeper's Alex Roach, Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, and Mission: Impossible's Simon Pegg.
The show follows a woman accused of being Alice Bell – a former nurse and accomplice to a notorious serial killer.
© Channel 4First-look images introduce Alex Roach as Fran, including a tense shot of her holding a passport, presumably attempting to prove her identity.
With an impressive cast list and production from Clapperboard Studios (Cooper & Fry, The Ex-Wife), Hunting Alice Bell is shaping up to be an autumn must-watch.
Keep reading to find out everything we know so far.
What is Hunting Alice Bell about?
Directed by Emmy winner Paul Walker, the series follows a woman named Fran, who is accused online of being a notorious serial killer's accomplice living under a new identity.
The synopsis reads: "Alice Bell is a former nurse, and also the lover, and accomplice, of a notorious anaesthetist serial killer. She is presently living in Britain under a new identity. When, online, Fran Da Silva is accused of being Alice Bell, her happy family life implodes in a wave of mob hate. Then she discovers she’s not the only woman to suffer this fate. Fran and the other accused women band together to fight back and clear their names. But as they battle to prove their innocence, what if one of the group is lying - and is the real Alice Bell…?"
© Channel 4The series is billed as a "psychological thriller built around a whodunnit with shades of family drama and social satire".
"It tells a story for our times: about misogyny, justice, the psychosis of the mob, and about how rumours spread and the devastating effects they cause," continues the synopsis. "All within a story stuffed with cliffhangers, hunting the answer to one big question: who is Alice Bell?"
Rachel Gesua, Senior Executive Producer at production company Clapperboard Studios, previously teased the show as a "compelling" and "provocative" drama.
© Channel 4"Hunting Alice Bell is a story for our times, exploring what happens when the online mob comes for a group of ordinary women and the devastating effect that can have," she said. "David, Peter and the writing team have created a bold and provocative drama, brimming with unforgettable characters and brought to life by the most extraordinary cast. We are thrilled to be working with the team at Channel 4 and Sphere Abacus on such a compelling drama."
Who stars in Hunting Alice Bell?
Alex Roach (Nightsleeper) leads the cast as Fran, while Amanda Abbington (Sherlock) plays Julie and Emily Barber (MobLand) plays Vanessa.
© Red Planet Pictures/Denis GuyenonMeanwhile, Toni O'Rourke (God’s Creatures) portrays Ros, alongside Christina Bennington (Halo) as Charlotte, Rudi Dharmalingam (The Lazarus Project) as Nick, with Ralf Little (Death in Paradise) as Graham Hunter and Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible) as Dr Jason Nash.
Hunting Alice Bell will air on Channel 4 this autumn.
