5 has today announced the exciting cast line-up for new drama The Family Secret (w/t), a 4×60 mystery series from Lonesome Pine, in association with Sphere Abacus and North East Screen.
A commission previously announced in 5’s bumper slate earlier this year, The Family Secret (w/t) is a gripping, psychological drama that asks: what if your past isn’t what you think it is? Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day, Poldark) stars as Amanda Blakefield, whose life is a happy one with her husband, Jimmy played by Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter, All Creatures Great and Small), and their son Luke, played by newcomer James Younger. Amanda has her world shattered after she is left an enormous inheritance by a man she has neither met nor heard of before. Her life starts to disintegrate as she becomes embroiled in the world of The Worrall Family. The patriarch Martin Worrall, played by Denis Lawson (Bleak House, New Tricks), is head of a family which is bound in past secrets. As Amanda’s story leads her further and further into the Northumbrian countryside, she begins to unravel the past. And all of their lives are turned upside down.
Further cast include Rebecca Front (The Thick of It, Lewis) as Martin’s wife Fiona, with Callum Woodhouse (All Creatures Great and Small, The Durrells) as his son Anthony. Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks, Wild At Heart) joins as farm worker Boots Maddison, Paula Wilcox (Trying, Upstart Crow) as Amanda’s mother Linda, Danielle Walters (Chewing Gum, Kill Your Friends) as Amanda’s best friend Sandy, and Nina Wadia (Eastenders, Goodness Gracious Me) as solicitor Laura.
The series was commissioned by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 and is produced by Lonesome Pine (The Inheritance, The Feud), with funding by North East Screen and in association with Sphere Abacus who will distribute the series internationally. Lesley Douglas will Produce for Lonesome Pine, alongside Ellie Hill. Executive Producers for Sphere Abacus are Jonathan Ford and Will Stapley. Gayle Woodruffe manages the Production Fund on behalf of North East Screen. Writer Aschlin Ditta (The Feud, The Inheritance, Doc Martin) joins with Andy de Emmony (Vigil, The Feud, The Nest) on board as Director.
On bringing this story to the 5 audience, Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 says: “The Family Secret explores the fragility of family and the ripple effects of long-buried truths, all anchored by a brilliant cast led by Eleanor Tomlinson. This is a drama that promises to keep audiences hooked from the very first minute and we’re delighted to work with Lonesome Pine again after the success of The Inheritance and The Feud.”
The Family Secret (w/t) is filming now across the North East of England and is set to air on 5 in 2026.
