I, Jack Wright: John Simm and Trevor Eve's 'twisty whodunnit' family drama about 'inheritance and greed' arrives on BBC One
Where there's a will, there's a war...
BBC One drama I, Jack Wright is a Chris Lang drama unravelling the fallout after a very wealthy businessman’s death from suicide. Or at least, it looks like a suicide at the beginning…
The series originally aired on U&Alibi in 2025, and now finds its home on BBC One. This follows the announcement earlier this year that the Beeb had acquired series two of the murder mystery. (More on that below).
The twisty whodunnit introduces the family of Jack Wright, who dies in what appears to be a suicide. His wife Sally subsequently faces an earth-shattering revelation about her husband’s will – and enormous fortune – and a dog-fight begins.
Here’s everything you need to know about I, Jack Wright on BBC One. Including plot, cast, start date, and news on series 2.
What is the plot of I, Jack Wright on BBC One?
I, Jack Wright is a “propulsive, darkly comic and moving murder mystery family drama”. It offers many twists and turns as one family deals with treachery and hidden agendas from all involved.
Jack Wright is a powerful and successful businessman who leaves his family in disarray when he appears to take his own life. Jack’s third wife, Sally, and two sons, Gray and John are shocked to discover they have been largely cut out of Jack’s final will and testament.
A synopsis tells us: “As DCI Morgan and DC Jones delve further into the case, they realise Jack’s cause of death was in fact murder. Their sights turn to the Wright family, where the mother of all feuds is beginning. Each family member becomes more reckless and desperate in their bid to own a piece of Jack’s legacy. And dark secrets and resentments are revealed with explosive consequences.”
Director of commissioning at UKTV Hilary Rosen said: “Chris Lang has delivered a gripping story of the devastating impact that patriarch, Jack Wright’s will has on his shocked and feuding family. This fresh, modern and dark family drama is an absolute page turner that’s told in a highly original way.”
How many episodes is it?
I, Jack Wright is a six-part series, each episode being an hour long.
Chris Lang, famous for creating Unforgotten, and The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, wrote the drama. He said: “I’m delighted to have assembled such an astonishing cast and creative team. Wills are extraordinary documents. The preferment of one sibling or another, one friend, one wife, one husband, is often seen as an expression of who was loved more (or less) with the very person who can explain the document’s true meaning, unable to.
“They can be used to punish, to reveal long buried secrets, to disinherit and destroy, as well as to bring succour, to affirm love, and make dreams come true. They are the most potent echo of the ended life, for good and for bad. And the will of Jack Wright is no exception. So buckle up, it’s going to be quite a ride!”
Who’s in the cast of BBC One drama I, Jack Wright?
Trevor Eve portrays Jack Wright, a man who causes havoc with his will. But did he really take his own life? Of course, TV viewers will know veteran actor Trevor for his roles in A Discovery of Witches, Shoestring, and Waking the Dead.
Nikki Amuka-Bird star as Jack’s third wife, now widow, Sally Wright. She’s famous for Betrayal, Avenue 5, and Luther.
The Lakes star John Simm portrays Jack’s son Gray Wright. He reunites with his Grace co-star Zoë Tapper who plays Georgia Wright.
Gentleman Jack’s Gemma Jones stars as Rose Wright, opposite Landscapers’ Daniel Rigby as John Wright, and The Serpent’s Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Emily Wright.
Channel director for Alibi Emma Ayech said at the time it was commissioned: “I am incredibly excited to bring the talents of Chris Lang to Alibi, along with a fantastic cast line-up, who will bring this juicy and thrilling family mystery to life. It’s a gripping story with expertly written characters that will keep our viewers guessing the whole way through.”
The huge ensemble cast also includes:
- Sex Education’s Rakhee Thakrar as Laura Johnstone.
- Game of Thrones’ Harry Lloyd as DCI Hector Morgan.
- Hijack’s Liz Kingsman as DC Katie Jones.
- The Feud’s James Fleet as Bobby.
- The Larkins’ Sabrina Bartlett as Bella.
- Domino Day’s Percelle Ascott as Reuben.
- Heartbeat’s Niamh Cusack as Annie Rouse.
When is the start date?
I, Jack Wright starts on BBC One on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 9pm, and will land as a boxset on that day too. The series originally aired on U&alibi and BritBox in 2025.
Polly Williams, MD of Federation Stories, commented: “Chris Lang is a master of the thriller genre, and it’s been a delight to work with him on bringing this wholly original, juicy and vibrant piece to the screen. I, Jack Wright is a whip-smart, bingeable, funny and relatable treat.”
Where was BBC One’s I, Jack Wright filmed?
The U&Alibi and BBC One drama I, Jack Wright was primarily filmed in Hertfordshire and London. Key scenes were also shot in Paris.
The primary locations used in the show include Chenies Manor House, a historic Tudor mansion in Chenies, Buckinghamshire. This served as the filming location for the Wright family’s country estate (often referred to as Marston Hall).
Other filming locations include London, including Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Is there a series 2?
BBC One has acquired series 2 of I, Jack Wright. Series 2 of the thrilling drama is coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year.
The second series sees the return of Nikki Amuka-Bird as Sally Wright, John Simm as Gray Wright, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Emily Wright, and Daniel Rigby as John Wright. Harry Lloyd returns as DCI Morgan, with new cast members, Tom Austen (Rematch) and Zora Bishop (Hijack) joining for the second series.
In series 2, the Wrights are back – and deadlier than ever. Still reeling from the death of patriarch Jack, the family are blindsided by the arrest of one of their own for his murder. But have the police got the right person? And more importantly, how could this affect their inheritance payouts?
The synopsis tells us: “Add in one new family member, two new wills, and three new bodies, and prepare for an explosive return to the twisted world of the Wright family.”
