The Heights: Channel 5 confirms 'thrilling' new Anna Friel drama based on Louise Candlish's bestselling novel
The nail-biting, psychological thriller explores the power of maternal love and the power of revenge
The Heights, Louise Candlish’s bestselling novel, is being brought to life in a brand new Channel 5 drama with Anna Friel to lead we can confirm.
And it’s set to be a cracking watch. The nail-biting, psychological thriller explores “the power of maternal love” and “how grief can blur the lines between justice and revenge”.
Channel 5 is fast becoming THE place to watch bingeable thrillers, and The Heights is no exception. If you loved The Ex-Wife, The Fortune, and Missed Call, then this is for you.
Here’s everything you need to know about Channel 5’s upcoming series The Heights, including what it’s about, cast, start date, and all the latest news.
What is The Heights on Channel 5 about?
The Heights introduces working mum Ellen who is devoted to her children and fiercely protective of them. They are happily living in London when “cracks began to appear in their family life”.
The trouble starts when Ellen’s teenage son Lucas brings home a new friend called Kieran. He’s “rude, reckless and manipulative”. Unsurprisingly, he begins to lead Lucas astray and, in Ellen’s eyes, is responsible for wasting her son’s promise.
The synopsis tells us: “As Lucas falls deeper under Kieran’s influence, Ellen becomes increasingly desperate to protect him. But a devastating tragedy leaves her consumed by grief, rage and a growing obsession with the truth. Jumping between the past and present day, family secrets and lies unravel in this thrilling new series.”
Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer at Channel 5, said: “We’re thrilled to bring this adaption of Louise Candlish’s bestselling novel to UK screens. The Heights is a key part of Channel 5’s 2026 drama slate and we’re so pleased to have Anna Friel leading a stellar cast.”
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How many episodes is it?
The upcoming drama will be six episodes of an hour long.
As yet, we don’t know if the series will be landing as a boxset, or air weekly. Although we do know that Channel 5 likes to deliver its dramas over consecutive days. Watch this space for more info when it comes.
Who’s in the cast?
Anna Friel leads the cast as Ellen in The Heights. Talking about joining the show, she said: “Really excited to be diving into this world, to work with our brilliant director Dominic and wonderful crew. We have such a strong creative team, and I hope we make something moving and entertaining.”
Of course, Anna is famous for her hard-hitting roles in Brookside, Marcella, and Unforgivable.
Conrad Khan will play unwelcome Kieran. He’s best known for his role in the award-winning film County Lines, and for playing the original Duke Shelby in Peaky Blinders.
DCI Banks actor Stephen Tompkinson, currently appearing in The Fortune, will star as Ratcliffe.
The ensemble cast also includes:
- Newcomer Kit Redding as Ellen’s son Lucas.
- Double Blind’s Diarmuid Noyes as Ellen’s ex-husband Vic.
- Line of Duty’s Mark Stobbart as Justin.
- The Hardacres’ Charis Agbonlahor as Prisca.
- Malory Towers’ Natasha Raphael as Freya.
- Joy’s Yasmine Odofin as Jade.
- Plan B’s Jolly Abraham as DI Wilson.
The Heights on Channel 5 release date
The new six-parter is currently filming and set to air on 5 later this year.
Mike Benson, Managing Director at Clapperboard Studios. said: “I am a huge fan of all of Louise’s novels which are always in equal parts so characterful and thrilling. So we are delighted she agreed to trust us with The Heights. To have an actress of the calibre of Anna join the project is testament to the strength of the book. We’re appreciative of our friends at 5 and FOX for backing the show and can’t wait to bring it to audiences both in the UK and globally.”
Is The Heights on Channel 5 based on a book?
The Channel 5 series is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Louise Candlish, t. The author said: “I couldn’t be happier to see The Heights adapted for 5 by the brilliant team at Clapperboard. Anna Friel is one of the finest acting talents of our generation and for her to be headlining as Ellen is truly a thrill.”
The Heights is published by Simon & Schuster UK and by Atria Books in the US. It’s described as a
A synopsis for the book reads: “Ellen Saint is just your average mum. Devoted to her family, she’s no different from any other mother who wants the best for her kids. But when her teenage son Lucas brings a new friend home, cracks start to appear in Ellen’s perfect family life.
“Kieran Watts isn’t like Lucas. He’s rude, obnoxious and reckless. And Ellen can only watch in despair as her son falls deeper under his influence. Then Ellen’s whole world implodes and she embarks on an obsessive need to get revenge. There is nothing you won’t do for your children – even murder…”
The Guardian called the book “masterly plotted and compulsive”, while Sunday Express said: “Stylish and sinister, this is a dark tale with a punch to the ending.”
Mail on Sunday added: “A thoroughly compelling thriller that shows off Candlish’s trademark mix of smartly-observed London life, crafty twists and unreliable, but all-too-believable characters.”
Prentiss Fraser, President of FOX Entertainment Global, concludes: “The Heights is exactly the kind of premium, emotionally gripping storytelling that resonates with audiences around the world. With Louise Candlish’s compelling novel, and Anna Friel delivering a powerhouse lead performance, we’re proud to work with 5 on this exceptional series.”
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