Channel 4 has announced a brand new six-part psychological thriller, ‘Hunting Alice Bell‘, from Clapperboard Studios (The Ex Wife, The Teacher), with a remarkable cast that includes Alex Roach (Nightsleeper), Amanda Abbington (Sherlock), Emily Barber (MobLand), Toni O’Rourke (God’s Creatures), Christina Bennington (Halo), Rudi Dharmalingam (The Lazarus Project), Ralf Little (Death in Paradise), and Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible).
Created by David Baddiel with Peter Bradshaw, the series blends family drama, whodunnit mystery, and biting social satire. All episodes will be directed by Paul Walker.
The story
‘Hunting Alice Bell’ follows Alice Bell, a former nurse and accomplice to a notorious anaesthetist serial killer, who is now living under a new identity. When Fran Da Silva, played by Alex Roach, is accused online of being Alice Bell, her happy family life is destroyed by a tidal wave of mob hatred. Soon Fran learns she is not alone, as other women face the same accusation. Together, they band together to fight back and clear their names. But as paranoia grows, the chilling question lingers: what if one of them really is Alice Bell?
The supporting line-up sees Amanda Abbington as Julie, Emily Barber as Vanessa, Toni O’Rourke as Ros, Christina Bennington as Charlotte, Rudi Dharmalingam as Nick, with Ralf Little as Graham Hunter and Simon Pegg as Dr Jason Nash.
A thriller for our times
Described as a psychological thriller “stuffed with cliffhangers,” ‘Hunting Alice Bell’ explores themes of misogyny, justice, mob psychology, and the destructive power of rumours amplified by social media.
David Baddiel commented:
“The idea for Hunting Alice Bell was originally inspired by real cases of women in the UK becoming terrorised by the local population after suspicions start of them being various national hate figures, secretly living in the community. Over time it developed into a six part drama, and more focussed on the way that this kind of destructive rumour-mongering, which can incite riots and mob rage, is now intensified by social media.
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. We are thrilled to be working with the team at Channel 4 and Sphere Abacus on such a compelling drama.”
Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, also said:
“As we continue to build our scripted slate, I am really excited to collaborate with Clapperboard and Sphere Abacus on this gripping whodunnit. With a remarkable creative team behind it and such a fantastic cast, we are confident this project will captivate our viewers and keep them guessing!”
The series is produced by Clapperboard Studios in association with Sphere Abacus, with executive producers including Mike Benson, Rachel Gesua, David Baddiel, Peter Bradshaw, Polly Buckle, Jonathan Ford and Will Stapley. It is produced by Tamryn Reinecke, while Sphere Abacus will handle international sales.
‘Hunting Alice Bell‘ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on Channel 4 in the UK. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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