ITV has announced that a new drama from the writers and directors behind some of Manchester’s most notable shows will hit TV screens next year.
No Return is a four-part contemporary drama that centres around an idyllic family holiday to Turkey, which turns into a living nightmare for Kathy – played by Sheridan Smith – and her husband Martin when their 16-year-old son Noah is accused of a serious crime.
Together, the couple are left desperately fighting for his freedom.
The show is written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter and Hyde native Danny Brocklehurst (Shameless, Brassic), who most recently penned the hit Manchester-based Netflix series The Stranger.
It will also see The Stranger’s Hannah Quinn directing, and Safe’s Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee producing.
The official synopsis for the show reads: “Looking forward to an all-inclusive luxury break to enjoy the sun and sea with the family, Kathy and Martin, their son Noah and younger daughter Jess are blissfully unaware of the horrific ordeal about to unfold.
“The holiday is a chance to unwind and for Kathy and Martin to spend some much-needed family time.
“Until unsuspecting Noah accepts a seemingly innocent invitation to a beach party from a fellow holidaymaker, Rosie, who is staying at the same hotel, and Kathy and Martin’s world spectacularly falls apart.
“An arrest, an expensive and alien legal system, looming media coverage and resistance from fellow holidaymakers to come to their aid leaves the distraught parents fighting for Noah’s freedom when ironically he should be at school sitting his latest exams.”
Speaking on her casting in the show, BAFTA-winning actress Sheridan Smith said: “I’m such a big fan of Danny Brocklehurst and Red Production, they make incredible dramas. I was thrilled to be asked to play Kathy in this exciting production and to be at ITV again.
“[I] can’t wait to start filming on this thrilling, complex story about family finding their way through a terrifying situation.”
Danny Brocklehurst added that the series will be “a passion project” for him, saying: “It’s the story of a family caught in a modern nightmare but it allows us to explore themes of parenthood, justice, addiction and consent.”
“I am delighted to be working with the amazing Sheridan Smith and once again partnering with ITV, and the brilliant Nicola Shindler and Hannah Quinn.”
No Return is due to being filming in the summer of 2021.