Channel 4 has announced Hunting Alice Bell, a six-part psychological thriller from Clapperboard Studios – the company behind The Ex-Wife and The Teacher.

The show mixes mystery, family drama and social satire. And – as well as securing an all-star cast of popular TV faces – was written by a very familiar TV comedian, too.

David Baddiel created the six-part fictional series with Peter Bradshaw. Read on to find out everything we know so far about Channel 4‘s upcoming psychological thriller Hunting Alice Bell, including plot, cast, start date, and number of episodes.

What’s the plot of Hunting Alice Bell on Channel 4?

The story centres around Alice Bell, a former nurse who was once the lover and accomplice of a notorious serial killer. She is now known to be living in the UK under a new identity.

Much like the plot of Channel 5’s The Rumour, online vigilantes make it their business to uncover Alice’s secret identity.

Viewers will be introduced to Fran Da Silva – one woman accused of being Alice. Understandably, her life collapses under “mob hate”. As a result, her happy family life falls apart.

However, she soon discovers that other women have also been accused in the same way. They band together to fight back and clear their names. However, as the group grows closer, a dangerous question arises: could one of them really be Alice Bell?

Channel 4 tells us: “Hunting Alice Bell is a psychological thriller built around a whodunnit. It has 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. All within a story stuffed with cliffhangers, hunting the answer to one big question: who is Alice Bell?”

Who wrote Hunting Alice Bell?

David Baddiel and Peter Bradshaw created the series. Baddiel also serves as lead writer, working with Polly Buckle and Kate Verghese.

Of course, Baddiel is famous for being an actor, comedian, and writer. He explained that he drew inspiration from real cases of women wrongly accused of being notorious figures in hiding. He said: “Over time, it developed into a six-part drama, and more focused on the way that this kind of destructive rumour-mongering, which can incite riots and mob rage, is now intensified by social media.”

Meanwhile, Paul Walker directed. TV fans will know him for his work on The Ex-Wife, Riviera, Boy Meets Girl, Hollyoaks, and Shameless. 

Who is in the cast?

The lead role goes to Alex Roach, who plays Fran. Fran is the woman whose life is destroyed when she is accused of being Alice Bell. Nightsleeper fans will know Alex for playing the central role of Abby Aysgarth. She’s also famous for appearing in The Light in the Hall, and Utopia.

She stars alongside Amanda Abbington, best known for Sherlock and THAT Strictly debacle. She plays Julie. MobLand‘s Emily Barber appears as Vanessa.

Death in Paradise‘s Ralf Little will play Graham Hunter, alongside Simon Pegg’s Dr Jason Nash. Of course, comedy fans will know Simon best for writing and starring in Spaced, Hot Fuzz, and Shaun of the Dead. More recently, he’s played nerdy Benji Dunn in all the Mission: Impossible films. Yep, Tom Cruise is his mate!

Elsewhere, Cold Courage’s Toni O’Rourke plays Ros, and Nova Jones’ Christina Bennington stars as Charlotte. Lastly, The Split‘s Rudi Dharmalingam takes the role of Nick.

How many episodes are there? How can I watch it?

Hunting Alice Bell will air across six one-hour episodes.

Thriller fans can expect it to land in 2026. TV viewers will be available to watch it on Channel 4 and Channel4.com.

‘A whole new spin on the idea of mistaken identity’

David Baddiel explained the story’s relevance: “Technology has created a whole new spin on the idea of mistaken identity. We are told that in the present culture anyone can be who they want to be. But that also means that anyone can have who they are taken away from them… The hive mind can decide who you are. This happens to the five women in Hunting Alice Bell: in a world where identity is very fluid, they have lost control of theirs.”

Rachel Gesua, Senior Executive Producer at Clapperboard Studios, added: “Hunting Alice Bell is a story for our times, exploring what happens when the online mob come for a group of ordinary women and the devastating effect that can have. 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.”

When’s the start date?

Channel 4 hasn’t yet revealed a release date for Hunting Alice Bell. But we’re expecting it to land in 2026.

Watch this space for more info when we have it.

Read more: Inside the upcoming new series Riot Women from Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright

Channel 4 is expected to release Hunting Alice Bell in 2026.