SHARON ROONEY AND EMMETT J. SCANLAN LEAD THE CAST OF 5’S GRIPPING NEW THRILLER AN IMPOSSIBLE WAY TO DIE

5 today announces new drama commission An Impossible Way to Die, a gripping six-part thriller that sees a detective’s quiet local policing life upended when she’s thrust into a high-pressure investigation into a mysterious murder.   

Set to air on 5 in 2027, An Impossible Way to Die is a character-driven, unpredictable crime drama exploring themes of identity, protection, power and corruption. The original series is produced by Clapperboard Studios (The Game, Girl Taken, Cooper & Fry) for 5, with DCD Rights handling international distribution.   

DS Katie Salter (Sharon Rooney – My Mad Fat Diary, Daddy Issues) is happily solving everyday crimes until fate drags her into an impossible murder mystery. Four people sat around a table seemingly set for a dinner party – except they are all dead. The only clue is a scorpion crawling out of one of the victim’s mouths…   

Salter is not your stereotypical damaged and tormented tv detective. Smart, diligent and committed to her family, tensions quickly surface when Salter is partnered with DI Niall Conway (Emmett J. Scanlan – MobLand, A Woman of Substance), lead investigator on the case. Salter’s measured, grounded approach clashes with Conway’s all-consuming dedication to the job. At first, the two detectives appear fundamentally incompatible. Yet, as the investigation deepens and the pressure intensifies, Conway begins to recognise the value of Salter's empathy, optimism, and instinctive understanding of people. As the case grows increasingly impossible, secrets are unearthed and conspiracies emerge, lives are put at risk as the detectives race against time to connect seemingly disparate cases and unmask a killer before it’s too late.   

Further confirmed cast includes Lois Chimimba (Coldwater, Vigil), Jonny Lavelle (Down Cemetery Road, Black Mirror) and Ashley McGuire (This Country, This Is Going To Hurt).   

Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, 5 adds: “An Impossible Way to Die is exactly the kind of distinctive, compelling drama we want to bring to 5 audiences. Casting Sharon Rooney as a detective was the genesis of this thriller, and she brings something fresh and compelling to DS Katie Salter. With its brilliant premise, bold take on the detective genre, fantastic cast and Clapperboard’s flair for character-driven drama, we’re hugely excited to see the series come to life.” 

Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard Studios adds: “We’re delighted to be working again with two of the finest performers out there in Sharon and Emmett, alongside our fantastic cast and talented production team led by Adam and Amber. The scripts are really quite special - gripping, witty and insidious - and alongside our partners 5 and DCD we can’t wait to introduce the world to DS Salter who avoids all the tropes we’ve seen in television detectives down the years.”   

An Impossible Way to Die was commissioned for 5 by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer. The series is executive produced by Clapperboard MD Mike Benson and Myf Hopkins (Little Disasters, The Castaways) for Clapperboard Studios, and produced by Amber Howorth (Legends, When Joan Kissed Barbara). Adam Wimpenny (Hotel Portofino, Madonna & Basquiat) joins as director.   

Writers include newcomers Robin Ganderton and Rowena Johnson, who have penned Episodes 1 and 5. Ciara Conway (The Teacher 3, Granite Harbour) has written Episodes 2 and 6, Jillian Mannion (Blood, Sex & Royalty, Death in Paradise) has written Episode 3, and David Persiva (The Teacher 3) has written Episode 4.    

An Impossible Way to Die is currently filming and is expected to air on 5 in 2027.       

For further information, please contact:

Hannah.Allan@paramount.com   

Notes to Editors   

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 Skydance Corporation. 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 the 5-branded portfolio, the dedicated preschool brand Milkshake!, and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV Entertainment Studios, 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 ‘Favourite Broadcaster/Streaming Service’ at the 2026 TV Choice Awards; ‘Channel of the Year’ at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Awards; 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 32 series and 155 hours of prime time television, including critically acclaimed ratings winners Love Rat, The Holiday, Cooper & Fry, The Cuckoo, The Game and Number One Fan 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, 2025 and 2026 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, The Heights and An Impossible Way to Die 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 DCD Rights 

Independent for more than 30 years, UK content distributor and financier, DCD Rights represents 3,500 hours of programming across a wide range of genres, including drama, factual entertainment, lifestyle, music, documentary programming and formats. DCD Rights’ catalogue contains shows from top international producers/directors and independent producers and features classic and cutting-edge concerts. DCD Rights’ holding company, NBD Holdings Ltd, also incorporates Rize TV Ltd as well as September Films which currently has two highly successful and long-running series in production in the US, Penn & Teller: Fool Us for The CW Network and Bridezillas for WE tv. NBD Holdings’ parent company is Back Catalogue Distribution Ltd.

Find out more on www.dcdrights.com