THE RUMOUR: CHANNEL 5 ANNOUNCES NEW FIVE-PART THRILLER

Channel 5 have announced brand-new thriller The Rumour (5x60’), a co-production from Cuba Pictures and Clapperboard in association with Fremantle, who will distribute the series internationally.

Casting for this new series has also been revealed with Rachel Shenton starring as Joanna, a young mother in need of a new beginning. Also joining the cast is Joanne Whalley (Willow, Wolf Hall, Scandal), Emily Atack (Rivals), Samuel Anderson (Doctor Who, Another Life).

Plus Ellie Haddington (Enola Holmes, Motherland), Lucy Speed (Unforgotten, Afterlife), Liza Sadovy (A Real Pain, Patience, A Small Light) and Carryl Thomas (Emmerdale, Silo, Silent Witness, Eastenders).  Rounding out the ensemble cast are Tamzin Griffin, Alex Waldmann and Okezie Morro. 

Joanna moves with her young son, Alfie, to the quiet town of Flinstead, seeking a fresh start. However, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of local mothers and the unsettling dynamics of the community. When Joanna stumbles upon an online rumour about a child killer living in the town, she uses it to win over the mums at the school gate.

As gossip spreads, suspicions build, and Joanna finds herself drawn into a web of secrets and paranoia. Balancing her efforts to protect her son with the growing unease in town, Joanna struggles to distinguish between truth and hearsay. With relationships strained and emotions running high, the boundaries between trust and fear blur. 

The Rumour explores how quickly small-town gossip can spiral out of control, forcing Joanna to confront the unforeseen consequences of curiosity and mistrust in her search for answers. The story is based on the Sunday Times bestselling book by Lesley Kara, following a deal negotiated by Emily Hayward Whitlock at The Artists Partnership in association with Amanda Preston at LBA Books. 

Rachel Shenton said “I’m really excited to play Joanna. The Rumour is a story of a woman unravelling as she relentlessly pursues the truth. She’s very relatable and the cast are amazing. It’s lovely to work with so many women.”   

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 commented: “The Rumour is a gripping drama about the dangerous power of secrets and gossip in a small town. With Lesley Kara’s captivating story and a stellar cast, this series promises edge-of-your-seat suspense and a fascinating exploration of the thin line between trust and fear.”   

Dixie Linder, Executive Producer for Cuba Pictures, comments: “We’re thrilled to bring Lesley Kara’s compelling thriller to the screen. The Rumour delves into the unsettling impact of gossip, paranoia, and suspicion in a close-knit community. With a brilliant cast and a fantastic creative team, we can’t wait for audiences to see it.”   

Rebecca Dundon, SVP, Head of Scripted Commercial, Global Drama and Fremantle International, said: “The Rumour is a razor-sharp psychological drama that turns everyday gossip into a weapon, exposing the dangerous fault lines in trust, community, and the lengths we go to protect our own. What would you do if a rumour about a killer landed on your doorstep?”   

The series is currently filming and is expected to air on Channel 5 in 2025.