Channel 4 acquires psychological thriller Hunting Alice Bell
Alex Roach, Amanda Abbington, Emily Barber, Toni O’Rourke, Christina Bennington, Rudi Dharmalingam, Ralf Little, and Simon Pegg have joined the cast of Hunting Alice Bell.
Channel 4 has announced the acquisition of the psychological thriller from Clapperboard Studios (The Ex Wife, The Teacher), along with its casting. The six-part drama was created by David Baddiel in collaboration with Peter Bradshaw. Baddiel serves as lead writer, working alongside Bradshaw, Polly Buckle, and Kate Verghese. All episodes will be directed by Paul Walker.
The series centers on Alice Bell, a former nurse who was also the lover and accomplice of a notorious anaesthetist serial killer. Now living in Britain under a new identity, her past comes to light when Fran Da Silva is accused online of being Alice Bell. Fran’s previously happy family life is torn apart by waves of mob hatred, and she discovers she is not the only woman facing such accusations. Fran and the other accused women unite to clear their names, but as they fight for justice, suspicions arise: could one of them actually be the real Alice Bell?
Alex Roach (Nightsleeper) takes the lead as Fran, with Amanda Abbington (Sherlock) as Julie, Emily Barber (MobLand) as Vanessa, Toni O’Rourke (God’s Creatures) as Ros, Christina Bennington (Halo) as Charlotte, Rudi Dharmalingam (The Lazarus Project) as Nick, Ralf Little (Death in Paradise) as Graham Hunter, and Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible) as Dr Jason Nash.
Hunting Alice Bell is a psychological thriller that combines a whodunnit structure with elements of family drama and social satire. The series tackles themes of misogyny, justice, mob psychology, and the damaging effects of rumours, all while keeping viewers engaged with suspenseful cliffhangers as the central question looms: who is Alice Bell?
The series was acquired for Channel 4 by Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions, and is produced by Clapperboard in association with Sphere Abacus. Executive producers include Mike Benson and Rachel Gesua for Clapperboard Studios, alongside David Baddiel, Peter Bradshaw, Polly Buckle, Jonathan Ford, and Will Stapley. Tamryn Reinecke serves as producer.
David Baddiel, Co-Creator and Lead Writer, explains: “The idea for Hunting Alice Bell was originally inspired by real cases of women in the UK becoming terrorised by the local population after suspicions start of them being various national hate figures, secretly living in the community. Over time it developed into a six part drama, and more focussed on the way that this kind of destructive rumour-mongering, which can incite riots and mob rage, is now intensified by social media.
Technology has created a whole new spin on the idea of mistaken identity. We are told that in the present culture anyone can be who they want to be. But that also means that anyone can have who they are taken away from them: the hive mind can decide who you are. This happens to the five women in Hunting Alice Bell: in a world where identity is very fluid, they have lost control of theirs.”
Rachel Gesua, Senior Executive Producer at Clapperboard Studios, adds: “Hunting Alice Bell is a story for our times, exploring what happens when the online mob come for a group of ordinary women and the devastating effect that can have. David, Peter and the writing team have created a bold and provocative drama, brimming with unforgettable characters and brought to life by the most extraordinary cast. We are thrilled to be working with the team at Channel 4 and Sphere Abacus on such a compelling drama.”
Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, comments: “As we continue to build our scripted slate, I am really excited to collaborate with Clapperboard and Sphere Abacus on this gripping whodunnit. With a remarkable creative team behind it and such a fantastic cast, we are confident this project will captivate our viewers and keep them guessing!”