5 SCALES THE HEIGHTS WITH NEW DRAMA SERIES COMMISSION STARRING ANNA FRIEL

6 x 60’ adaptation of best-selling novel by Louise Candlish, produced by Clapperboard Studios in Association with FOX Entertainment Global 

LONDON, TUESDAY 2ND JUNE 2026: 5 has commissioned The Heights a 6 x 60’ scripted series adaptation of the best-selling Louise Candlish novel from Clapperboard Studios, starring Anna Friel. The series will be distributed internationally by FOX Entertainment Global.   

Ellen, played by Anna Friel (Marcella, Broken) is happily living in London, a working mum, devoted to her family and fiercely protective of her children. But when her teenage son Lucas, played by newcomer Kit Redding, brings new friend Kieran, played by Conrad Khan (County Lines, Peaky Blinders) home, cracks began to appear in Ellen’s family life. Kieran is rude, reckless and manipulative – leading Lucas astray, wasting his promise. As Lucas falls deeper under Kieran’s influence, Ellen becomes increasingly desperate to protect him — but a devastating tragedy leaves her consumed by grief, rage and a growing obsession with the truth. Jumping between the past and present day, family secrets and lies unravel in this thrilling new series.   

Further cast confirmed are Diarmuid Noyes (Christy, Double Blind) as ex-husband Vic, Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks, This is Not a Murder Mystery) as Ratcliffe, Mark Stobbart (House of the Dragon, Line of Duty) as Justin, Charis Agbonlahor (The Hardacres, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, In Flight) as Prisca, Natasha Raphael (Malory Towers, The Diary of Anne Frank) as Freya, Yasmine Odofin (Joy) as Jade, and Jolly Abraham (Plan B, Anniversary, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit) as DI Wilson.   

On starting this new project, Anna Friel comments: “Really excited to be diving into this world, to work with our brilliant director Dominic and wonderful crew. We have such a strong creative team, and I hope we make something moving and entertaining.”   

On the adaptation of her novel, Louise Candlish says: “I couldn’t be happier to see The Heights adapted for 5 by the brilliant team at Clapperboard. Anna Friel is one of the finest acting talents of our generation and for her to be headlining as Ellen is truly a thrill.”    

Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, 5 continues: “We’re thrilled to bring this adaption of Louise Candlish’s best-selling novel to UK screens. The Heights is a key part of 5’s 2026 drama slate and we’re so pleased to have Anna Friel leading a stellar cast.”   

Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard Studios adds: “I am a huge fan of all of Louise’s novels which are always in equal parts so characterful and thrilling - so we are delighted she agreed to trust us with The Heights. To have an actress of the calibre of Anna join the project, along with Simon’s brilliant screenwriting and Dom’s artful direction, is testament to the strength of the book. We’re appreciative of our friends at 5 and FOX for backing the show and can’t wait to bring it to audiences both in the UK and globally.”   

Prentiss Fraser, President, FOX Entertainment Global concludes: “The Heights is exactly the kind of premium, emotionally gripping storytelling that resonates with audiences around the world. With Louise Candlish’s compelling novel, a standout creative team at Clapperboard Studios, and Anna Friel delivering a powerhouse lead performance, we’re proud to work with 5 on this exceptional series and look forward to bringing it to international audiences through FOX Entertainment Global.”   

Based on the novel by best-selling author Louise Candlish, who joins as Executive Producer for the series, The Heights was commissioned for 5 by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer. Kate Croft and Mike Benson Executive Produce, with Emma Foley as Producer for Clapperboard; Simon Tyrrell (Maxine, The Alienist) is on board as Writer, with Dominic Leclerc (Sex Education, The A Word) as Director and Executive Producer. FOX Entertainment Global to handle international distribution.   

Currently filming and set to air on 5 later this year, The Heights is a nail-biting, psychological thriller exploring the power of maternal love and how grief can blur the lines between justice and revenge. 

ENDS   

For further information, please contact: kate.killgour@paramount.com     

Notes to Editors: 

Praise for Louise Candlish’s novel The Heights: 

‘Masterly plotted and compulsive’ The Guardian   

‘Stylish and sinister, this is a dark tale with a punch to the ending’ Sunday Express   

'A thoroughly compelling thriller that shows off Candlish’s trademark mix of smartly observed London life, crafty twists and unreliable, but all-too-believable characters’ Mail on Sunday   

‘The story is captivating the entire way through, chock full of twists and turns you’ll never see coming’ Associated Press   

‘Stylish and enticing, with a dark edge that slowly works its way under the skin’ CrimeReads   

About 5: 

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Global family of brands.  Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from Channel 5 – including Milkshake!, its dedicated preschool brand – and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount+ and more.  In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.  Recent wins include BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024, along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries.   

About Clapperboard Studios: 

Since launch, Clapperboard has delivered over 30 series and 147 hours of prime time television, including critically acclaimed ratings winners Love Rat, The Holiday, Cooper & Fry, The Cuckoo and The Game for 5 and Girl Taken, The Castaways, The Ex-Wife and The Serial Killer's Wife for Paramount+. It was shortlisted for Best Production Company in the Edinburgh TV Awards 2022 and 2025 and Best Independent Production Company at the Broadcast Awards 2024. Dramas Clapperboard is currently working on include The Day for Paramount+ and Paris is Always a Good Idea for Hallmark Media, Benidorm is Murder and Number One Fan for 5 and Hunting Alice Bell for Channel 4.   Returning dramas include The Teacher anthology series, The Good Ship Murder and The Madame Blanc Mysteries created and co-written by Sally Lindsay and co-produced by Clapperboard.   Clapperboard along with its partner companies, Chalkboard and Storyboard Studios, are part of iZen and the wider Studio TF1 Group   

About FOX Entertainment Global: 

FOX Entertainment Global is FOX Entertainment’s centralized content sales division, providing the worldwide multi-platform marketplace with exclusive access to its diverse, rapidly expanding production pipeline and library of owned original programming and co-production partnerships.  A central component of FOX Entertainment’s long-term growth strategy is to fortify its globally recognized, world-class brand and owned distribution platforms spanning broadcast and streaming with FOX Entertainment Global’s singular focus on broadly distributing the company’s full portfolio of owned intellectual property across all genres of scripted, unscripted and animated programming, including both film and television titles.     

The Heights is published by Simon & Schuster UK and by Atria Books in the US. The screen adaptation deal was brokered by Luke Speed of Insight Management, on behalf of Curtis Brown Group.   

Anna Friel is represented by The Artists Partnership, Untitled Entertainment, 111 Media & IP Agency