Channel 5 dramas have made impressive strides in recent years with their original programmes and brand-new dramas, offering gripping narratives, strong character development, and compelling performances.
With a focus on creating homegrown British television that resonates with audiences, Channel 5’s dramas cover an array of genres, from crime thrillers and psychological mysteries, to historical pieces and heart-wrenching family dramas.
Here's a look at some of the best Channel 5 dramas that should be on your watchlist.
New Channel 5 dramas
Here's a list of the best upcoming and new dramas on Channel 5 to get your eyes on:
The Feud
Tensions rise between neighbours when a plan to build an extension sparks an explosive dispute in The Feud. Channel 5 regular Jill Halfpenny leads an all-star cast - you'll be pointing at the screen asking, 'Where have we seen them before?'
Cast:
• Jill Halfpenny as Emma Bartlett
• Rupert Penry-Jones as John Bartlett
• Amy Nutall as Sonia
• Ray Fearon as Alan
• Larry Lamb as Terry
• James Fleet as Derek
• Tessa Peake-Jones as Barbara
• Jamie-Lee O'Donnell as PC Gallagher
• Chris Gascoyne as Lee
• Alex Macqueen as Nick
• Megan Trower as Beth Bartlett
Genre: Domestic thriller
Watch The Feud on My5 now.
The Trial
A new law holds parents responsible for any crime their children commit in a one-off, hour-long Channel 5 drama, The Trial, which stars Outnumbered and The Crown actors.
Cast:
• Claire Skinner as Dione Sinclair
• Ben Miles as David Sinclair
• Saoirse-Monica Jackson as interrogator Sarah Willis
• Jaz Hutchins as Lieutenant Simons
• India Fowler as Teah Sinclair
Genre: Drama
Watch The Trial on Channel 5 and My5 from Thursday 8th May at 9 pm.
The Game
A retired detective becomes embroiled in a game of cat-and-mouse with a potential stalking serial killer neighbour in The Game. Starring Channel 5 drama veteran Jason Watkins and Grantchester's Robson Green.
Cast:
• Jason Watkins as Huw Miller
• Robson Green as Patrick Harbottle
• Sunetra Sarker as Huw Miller's wife (character name TBC)
Genre: Drama
The Game will be available to watch on Channel 5 and My5.
The Rumour
Rivals star Emily Atack and Academy Award winner Rachel Shenton from All Creatures Great and Small will lead the upcoming Channel 5 drama The Rumour, which is based on Lesley Kara’s Sunday Times bestselling debut book. It's about a mum who's new to town and uses a rumour she's found online to create new friends. However, sharing this information leads to dangerous consequences she did not expect.
Cast:
• Emily Atack
• Rachel Shenton
• Joanne Whalley
• Samuel Anderson
• Lucy Speed
• Ellie Haddington
• Tamzin Griffin
• Caryll Thomas
• Liza Sadovy
• Alex Waldmann
• Okezie Morro
Genre: Psychological thriller
The Rumour will be available to watch on Channel 5 and My5.
AmazonThe best Channel 5 dramas
Now that you've seen the new shows, here are some of the all-time best Channel 5 dramas that are perfect for a binge-watch:
All Creatures Great and Small
Set in the stunning Yorkshire Dales in the 1930s, this is one of Channel 5's most popular, heart-warming dramas that brings to life the beloved stories of veterinary surgeon James Herriot. Originally based on Herriot’s real-life experiences and written by Alf Wight, the show captures the charms and challenges of rural veterinary life. Not only does it deliver moments of humour and warmth, but it also addresses deeper themes such as love, friendship, and the impact of industrialisation on rural communities.
Cast:
• Nicolas Ralph as James Herriot
• Rachel Shenton as Helen Anderson
• Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall
• Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Famon
• Cleo Sylvestre as Anne Chapman
• Diana Rigg as Mrs Pumphrey
• Imogen Clawson as Jenny Alderson
• Matthew Lewis as Hugh Hulton
Genre: Family Drama / Period Drama
Watch All Creatures Great and Small on My5 now.
The Drowning
This four-part miniseries follows Jodie, a grieving mother who believes she has found her missing son after nine years. When she encounters a boy who resembles her son, Jodie becomes convinced he is her child and begins an obsessive pursuit that leads her into dangerous territory. The plot thickens with twists and turns that leave audiences questioning Jodie's motives and mental stability.
Cast:
• Jill Halfpenny as Jodie Walsh
• Jonas Armstrong as Jason Walsh
• Cody Molko as Daniel Tanner
• Rupert Penry-Jones as Mark Tanner
• Deborah Findlay as Lynn Walsh
• Jade Anouka as Yasmin
• Dara Devaney as Ben Gilmore
• Babs Olusanmokun as Ade
• Deirdre Mullins as Kate Gilmore
Genre: Drama
Watch The Drowning on My5 now.
The Night Caller
Lonely cab driver Tony works in Liverpool and used to be a teacher. Fed up with his life and circumstances, he gets a twisted world-view and develops a dangerous obsession with a late-night radio host, Lawrence.
Cast:
• Robert Glenister as Tony
• Sean Pertwee as Lawrence
• Suzanne Packer as Rosa
• Stephan Walters as Rob
• Anthony Brophy as Stephen
• James Keating as Joe Hall
• Gráinne Keenan as DS Marshall
• Anthony Brophy as Stephen
• Stephan Walters as Rob
• Sophie Mensah as Meena Xing
Genre: Drama / Thriller / Crime Fiction
Watch The Night Caller on My5 now.
The Wives
In The Wives, a family is seemingly enjoying their time together on holiday when one of them is said to have fallen to their demise on a clifftop in Malta, although her body was never recovered. Lies come to light as three of the women work together (and sometimes against each other) to uncover the truth.
Cast:
• Angela Griffin as Natasha
• Jo Joyner as Beth
• Tamzin Outhwaite as Sylvie
• Christine Bottomley as Annabelle
• Jamie Bamber as Charlie
• Katie Clarkson-Hill as Jade
• Ben Willbond as Frankie Morgan, Beth's husband
• Jonathan Forbes as Sean Morgan, Natasha's husband
• Louis Boyer as Luca Vella, a local businessman
• Ajay Chhabra as Vinay Taneja, consulate official
• Catorina Chandler as Sky
Genre: Mystery / Drama
Watch The Wives on My5 now.
The Hardacres
Period drama The Hardacres was first broadcast in Autumn 2024. Set in Yorkshire in the 1890s, this family saga follows a working-class family as they move up the ranks of society and go from rags-to-riches.
Cast:
• Claire Cooper as Mary Hardacre
• Liam MacMahon as Sam Hardacre
• Julie Graham as Ma Hardacre
• Adam Little as Joe Hardacre
• Zac Ford-Williams as Harry Hardacre
• Shannon Lavelle as Liza Hardacre
• Holly Sturton as Adella Fitzherbert
• Cathy Belton as Ella Fitzherbert
• Taheen Modak as Saunders
• Ingrid Craigie as Mrs. Dryden
• Sarah Agha as Betsy
Genre: Period drama
Watch The Hardacres on My5 now.
The Cuckoo
Married couple Jessica and Nick have recently moved to the countryside with their teenage daughter Alice and are hunting for a lodger when the enigmatic Sian turns up on their doorstep. Wedging herself between everyone, their lives as they know it are slowly torn apart.
Cast:
• Jill Halfpenny as Sian
• Lee Ingleby as Nick
• Claire Goose as Jessica
• Freya Hannan-Mills as Alice
• Marjorie Yates as Aunt Fay
• Emily Healy as Roisín
Genre: Thriller
Watch The Cuckoo on My5 now.
Ellis
Doctor Who, Holby City and Mr Loverman actress and three-time Olivier Award winner Sharon D Clarke plays the tenacious DCI Ellis, who takes over the investigation into the death of an 18-year-old. Her findings lead her to discover that the town's parents know very little about what their children are getting up to.
Cast:
• Sharon D. Clarke as DCI Ellis
• Andrew Gower as DS Chet Harper
• Beau Gadsdon as Amy
• Alison Harding as ACC Leighton
• Daire Scully as Rowan Edwards
Genre: Detective drama
Watch Ellis on My5 now.
The Teacher (series 2)
After Sheridan Smith's performance in series 1, viewers were anticipating series 2 of The Teacher. This second series focuses on an illicit love affair between two secondary school teachers, Dani and Jimmy. Their affair lands them in deep water as the pair sneak off on a school trip for a spontaneous moment of passion just as one of the children goes missing.
Cast:
• Kara Tointon as Dani
• Will Mellor as Jimmy
• Emmett J. Scanlan as Tim
• Joni Morris as Sienna
• Forrest Bothwell as Matt
• Cal O'Driscoll as Zac
• Ebby O'Toole-Acheampong as Chloe
• Lila Coleman as Bel
• Melanie Kilburn as Sophie Clarke
• Gwynne McElveen as DI Calgetti
• Niamh McCann as Nina
• John Nayagam as Mr Caulfield
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Crime Fiction
Watch The Teacher on My5 now.
Cold Call
This four-part drama reunites Mount Pleasant stars Sally Lindsay and Daniel Ryan. It follows June, an older woman who falls victim to a scam, losing her savings in the process. Driven to seek justice and uncover the people behind the scam, June embarks on a journey of revenge and self-discovery. Cold Call stands out for its focus on relatable, everyday issues and how people are affected by financial scams.
Cast:
• Sally Lindsay as June Clarke
• Daniel Ryan as Des Grigsby
• Taj Atwal as Hana Clarke
• Samantha Power as Laura Wiley
• Elizabeth Counsell as Elisabeth Wiley
• Katie Redford as Lizzie Wiley
• Paul Higgins as Kirk Wiley
• Dan Renton Skinner as Aubrey
• Rayna Campbell as Ally
• Melanie Kilburn as Sophie Clarke
• Geofrey McGivern as Simon Zima
• Chris Hannon as Chris
• Graeme Hawley as Joe
Genre: Crime Drama / Thriller
Watch Cold Call on My5 now.
Dalgliesh
Doctor Foster star Bertie Carvel plays detective Adam Dalgliesh in this adaptation from Based on P.D. James’s famous detective novels.
Cast:
• Bertie Carvel as Adam Dalgliesh
• Carlyss Peer as DS Kate Miskin
• Jeremy Irvine as Charles Masterson
• Alistair Brammer as DS Daniel Tarrant
Genre: Crime / Detective Fiction / Mystery
Watch Dalgliesh on My5 now.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and spending time with her pet dogs, tortoise and chickens.