LOVE RAT: FIRST LOOK IMAGES FROM NEW CHANNEL 5 DRAMA

Sally Lindsay stars in a new four-part drama about an Englishwoman abroad whose romantic dream turns into a nightmare.

The cast includes Sally Lindsay as Emma, Neil Morrissey as Pete, Gerald Kyd a Niko, Ramon Tikaram as George, Imogen King as Susie, Louiza Patikas as Christina, Joanna Kalafatis as Maria, Camilla Roholm as Freja and Rina Mahoney as Claire.

Emma (Sally Lindsay) dreams of a new start. Divorced from Pete (Neil Morrissey) and estranged from her embittered daughter, she escapes her dull life for a holiday in Cyprus. There she gets chatting to Niko (Gerald Kyd), the handsome, wealthy owner of the hotel.

Niko sweeps Emma off her feet – trips to secluded beaches, romantic meals and making love with carefree abandon - and when he suggests she move into a beautiful villa with him, Emma - to the horror of her loved ones - makes the huge decision to turn her back on her life in the UK.

When Niko needs what he says is a short-term loan to complete the villa purchase, Emma happily lends him the money. But then Niko, her money and her dreams of a new life disappear.

Desperate, she sets out to find him and get her money back, descending into a shadowy underworld of conmen where nothing is at is seems, and uncovering an even more twisted truth as she battles for justice. Starting out as an escapist fantasy in the sun, Love Rat transforms into a terrifying psychological thriller.

Sally Lindsay said: “Love Rat is a brilliantly entertaining story, full of twists and surprises; it really turns the topic on its head which is what drew me to the project. Emma is an interesting and layered character that everyone will be rooting for as she takes control of her situation and her destiny.”

Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK comments: “I’m really happy to work once more with the creative and talented team at Clapperboard Studios to bring Love Rat to screens, and with a stellar cast including Sally Lindsay, who our viewers know and love as Jean White in The Madame Blanc Mysteries and in Cold Call prior to that. Expanding Channel 5’s original drama slate, this psychological thriller promises to be one to remember.”

Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard added: “In developing Love Rat we were determined to avoid some of the clichés and tropes you might expect when exploring such provocative subject matter. Polly and the team have done a brilliant job adding nuance, surprise and authenticity to the story and characters – and of course it’s lovely to be working once more with the multi-talented Sally Lindsay.”

Love Rat is coming soon to Channel 5.