Forever Home on 5: 'Twisty' Graham Norton book about woman 'living with a killer' gets an all-star TV adaptation
It's a story full of "twists and turns, secrets, and emotional depth"
Forever Home, the bestselling book by author Graham Norton, is getting its very own TV adaptation, Channel 5 has confirmed.
Fans of the TV presenter-turned-writer will know that his very first book has already been adapted for the screen. Four-part drama Holding went out on ITV1 in 2022 (and it was quietly brilliant).
This time, it’s Channel 5’s turn to get under the skin of one of Graham’s novels. Forever Home is one of his most recent stories, and it sounds perfect for an adaptation.
Here’s everything we know about the Channel 5 drama, including plot, cast, start date, and number of episodes.
What is Forever Home on Channel 5 about?
Channel 5 has announced their upcoming new drama series Forever Home, an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name. The series is “a darkly emotional story about marriage, family and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children”.
It follows the story of a second wife dealing with the memories of the woman who went before her. The synopsis tells us: “When Carol discovers a long-dead body hidden in the basement of her home, the horrific realisation is undeniable – she’s living with a killer. The story that her husband’s first wife ran away never to be seen again now looks like a lie. And the fact he’s insisted on never selling the house suddenly makes sense. But one dark family secret is soon to be replaced by another…”
Kirstie Macdonald, FilmNation TV UK Creative Director, said: “From the moment I read the always-hilarious Graham Norton’s brilliant novel, I knew I wanted to bring Forever Home to the screen. It’s a story full of twists and turns, secrets, and emotional depth that we can’t wait to bring to life for 5 audiences.”
How many episodes is it?
Forever Home will be six episodes of one hour long.
The adaptation is being penned by Clara Salaman (famed for Too Close) who will Executive Produce alongside Graham Norton.
Who is in the cast of Forever Home on Channel 5?
Amy Nuttall is confirmed to be leading the cast as Carol. She’s no stranger to a Channel 5 drama, having recently appeared in The Feud opposite Jill Halfpenny. She’s also known for portraying Chloe Atkinson in Emmerdale, and Ethel Parks in Downton Abbey.
Douglas Henshall also joins the cast of the drama. Of course, Shetland fans will know the actor as DI Jimmy Perez in the crime drama. He recently portrayed the heartbreakingly stoic Stephen in The Revenge Club.
The impressive cast also includes Waterloo Road star Denise Welch, Inspector Morse and Lewis legend Kevin Whately, and The Marlow Murder Club’s Samantha Bond.
Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope appears, too, fresh from his Strictly Come Dancing glory.
Also joining the ensemble cast are: Heartstopper’s Jenny Walser, Happy Valley’s Shane Zaza, and Still Open All Hours’ James Baxter.
When is the start date?
Channel 5 has only just announced Forever Home, and it is currently in production. It’s early days for the series.
But C5 has promised it will air later in 2026. So watch this space for more announcements.
Forever Home filming locations
Filming is currently taking place Northumberland. Forever Home is a darkly emotional story about marriage, family and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children.
Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director at North East Screen, explained why the location of the series is so important. She said: “Forever Home is our 15th production supported by the North East Production Fund, a fund which is helping to attract more production to the North East of England and has invested £2.37m in productions so far.
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with FilmNation and 5 and are looking forward to welcoming the production team to Northumberland, a county which has the perfect locations to suit the story.”
Is it based on a book?
Forever Home is based on the Graham Norton novel of the same name. Published in 2022, critics described the book as “darkly comic”, “exciting and witty”, and “beautifully constructed with a twisty plot”.
Talking about the adaptation of his book, Graham Norton said: “In writing Forever Home, I was initially inspired by the simple idea of packing up a home later in life, and the “what if” scenarios and complexities that come with later-life relationships. The novel soon evolved into a funny, twisted, ‘dark-romp’ full of farcical scenes and it’s wonderful to see the depth and richness of Carol’s story realised as a screenplay.”
How many Graham Norton books have been adapted?
Graham has published five fictional novels so far, excluding his memoir. Holding has been adapted and is currently still available to watch on ITVX. Forever Home is the second of his novels to be adapted.
His published books in order are as follows:
- Holding, 2016
- A Keeper, 2018
- Home Stretch, 2020
- Forever Home, 2022
- Frankie, 2025
