Top: Vicky McClure, Leanne Best, Michelle Bonnard, Tom Cullen. Bottom: Corinna Marlowe, Jade Harrison, Dominic Tighe, Lyndsey Marshal
After rooting out dirty cops on the BBC and defusing bombs on ITV, Vicky McClure’s (Line Of Duty, Trigger Point) latest gig will see the award-winning actress star and exec produce the new Paramount+ UK original drama series ‘Insomnia‘, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by bestselling author Sarah Pinborough.
McClure leads the cast as successful career woman Emma Averill, who fears she might be losing her mind, when her hard-won dream life starts to turn into a nightmare. A couple of weeks before her fortieth birthday Emma stops sleeping — just as her mother had done right 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,” and now Emma’s terrified it’s true.
As events worsen, Emma’s world starts to unravel and 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.
Joining McClure in the drama is Tom Cullen (The Gold) who will play Emma’s loving husband Robert, whilst Smylie Bradwell (Wisting) and India Fowler (The Nevers) play Will and Chloe, Emma and Tom’s children. Leanne Best (Bolan’s Shoes) joins the cast as Emma’s estranged sister Phoebe, who shows up in town without a word of warning, whilst Corinna Marlowe (Hysteria) is Emma’s mother Patricia.
Also joining the ensemble cast are Dominic Tighe (Suspicion) and Jade Harrison (Wedding Season) who will play the Averill family’s close friends Julian and Michelle Simpson, whilst Lyndsey Marshal (Inside Man) is Caroline, Emma’s friend and confidante. Robert Gilbert (Killing Eve) is Faisal and Michelle Bonnard (Unforgotten) is D.I Hildreth.
“Myself and BYO Films are really excited to be working alongside Left Bank on ‘Insomnia’,” said Vicky McClure. “It’s a very different role for me, Sarah Pinborough has written such an exciting script. We have a fantastic cast, crew and production team all set for a very fulfilling few months ahead!”
Börkur Sigthorsson (The Midwich Cuckoos, Baptiste) will direct the drama and joins fellow Executive Producers Andy Harries, Jessica Burdett and Tim Bricknell. Charlotte Essex serves as Producer. Sarah Pinborough is the writer, adapting her novel for screen, as well as serving as Executive Producer. ‘Insomnia’ is produced by Left Bank Pictures in association with All3Media’s Build Your Own Films, and was ordered by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, UK, Paramount. Sony Pictures Television will distribute the series internationally.
‘Insomnia‘ does not yet have a premiere date, but will air on Paramount+ UK in 2024. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add it via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
