Insomnia is coming soon to Channel 5, after its debut on Paramount+ in 2024, and the thriller is a must watch for Vicky McClure fans.

The original drama series combines an impressive cast of famous faces from TV, as well as a nail-biting plot, and plenty of twists – some believable, some less so. But don’t forget, this is suposed to be entertainment, not a documentary! You have to leave your cynicism at the door…

Following on from this year’s Little Disasters, and The Crow Girl, Insomnia is based on a bestselling page-turner. Here’s everything you need to know about Insomnia on Channel 5, including plot, cast, start date, and the book it’s based on…

Leanne Best portrays Phoebe Bournett in Insomnia [Credit: Channel 5]

What’s Insomnia on Channel 5 about? What’s the plot?

Insomnia introduces viewers to successful career woman Emma Averill. We meet her a couple of weeks before her 40th birthday when calamitously, she stops being able to sleep. But this isn’t just a case of temporary insomnia. This is exactly what happened to Emma’s mother just before she suffered a violent psychotic breakdown on the night of her own fortieth birthday.

Emma’s mother always told her she’d go the same way, that she had the same “bad blood”. Now Emma is terrified it’s true…

A synopsis says: “As events worsen, Emma’s world starts to unravel. She realises that only by investigating the truth of her painful past, can she find the answers to her present and prevent tragedy from striking a second time.

“Emma fears she might be losing her mind when her hard-won dream life starts to turn into a nightmare.”

How can I watch Insomnia? When’s the start date?

Insomnia originally premiered in May 2024, exclusively on Paramount+ in the UK. But it’s now arriving on Channel 5.

Although it is still available to watch on Paramount+ if you have a subscription, it will soon be available to watch for free on C5.

It will land in early July.

The Gold actor Tom Cullen as Robert Averill in Insomnia [Credit: Channel 5]

How many episodes is it?

Insomnia is a six-part series, with each episode coming in at around 50 minutes.

Chanel 5 has not comfirmed if the series will land as a boxset, or if they will show it episode by episode over six nights.

Is it based on a book?

The six-parter is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by bestselling author Sarah Pinborough.

The book is described as a gripping crime thriller from the bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes. That was also turned into a TV series for Netflix.

A synopsis for the book says: “From the outside, Emma has the dream life – a loving husband, a beautiful house, and two gorgeous children. But something is keeping Emma awake. Scratching at her sanity at 1am. She’s tried so hard to bury the past, to protect her family. But witching hour loves a secret – and Emma’s is the stuff of nightmares…

Author Ian Ranking called the thriller: “Creepy as all get out – a gaslighting masterclass.”

The Sunday Times review said: “Pinborough’s unsettling, remorseless psychological thriller is horribly plausible and expertly plotted.”

Lyndsey Marshal portrays Caroline Mitchell in the cast of Insomnia [Credit: Channel 5]

Who’s in the cast of Insomnia on Channel 5?

Insomnia has a great ensemble cast, with lots of famous faces from the world of TV. Vicky McClure leads as successful career woman Emma Averill. Of course, Vicky is best known for her roles in Line of Duty, Trigger Point, and This Is England.

The Gold‘s Tom Cullen portrays Emma’s loving husband Robert, while The Crow Girl child actor Smylie Bradwell stars as Will, Emma and Tom’s son.

The Agency actress India Fowler stars as Chloe, Emma and Tom’s daughter, in Insomnia on Channel 5.

Leanne Best portrays Emma’s estranged sister Phoebe. She’s recently appeared in The Bay, This City is Ours, and G’wed.

Doctors’ Corinna Marlowe stars as Emma’s mother Patricia, while Lyndsey Marshal is Caroline, Emma’s friend and confidante. Lyndsey recently popped up in Death in Paradise.

Additional cast for Insomnia includes The Castaways‘ Dominic Tighe as Julian Sandford, a close family friend of the Averill family. Beyond Paradise‘s Jade Harrison will play Michelle Simpson.

Lastly, Red Eye‘s Robert Gilbert is Faisal, and Unforgotten‘s Michelle Bonnard is DI Hildreth.

Read more: Trigger Point series 3 is coming soon – here’s an overview of the plot, cast, and start date of ITV drama where ‘a bomb threat begins sinister vendetta’

Insomnia is coming to Channel 5 in July.