Channel 5 Greenlights The Rumour

Channel 5 has greenlit the thriller The Rumour, based on the Sunday Times best-selling book by Lesley Kara.

A co-production from Cuba Pictures and Clapperboard in association with Fremantle, the 5×60-minute drama stars Rachel Shenton (All Creatures Great and Small, For Her Sins) as Joanna, a young mother in need of a new beginning who moves with her young son to the quiet town of Flinstead. The series 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.

Joanne Whalley (Willow, Wolf Hall, Scandal), Emily Atack (Rivals), Samuel Anderson (Doctor Who, Another Life), 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) co-star.

Fremantle will distribute the series internationally. The series is currently filming and is expected to air on Channel 5 in 2025.

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

Paul Testar, commissioning editor for drama at 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, commented: “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, senior VP, head of scripted commercial for 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 rumor about a killer landed on your doorstep?”