FOREVER HOME: CHANNEL 5 ANNOUNCES DRAMA ADAPTATION OF GRAHAM NORTON NOVEL, CASTING CONFIRMED

5 announce new drama series Forever Home (6x60’), an adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by award-winning broadcaster, comedian, writer and actor Graham Norton. The series is co-produced by FilmNation Entertainment and The Mediapro Studio, supported by the North East Production Fund and North East Screen.

The six-part series follows the story of a second wife dealing with the memories of the woman who went before her. When Carol discovers a long-dead body hidden in the basement of her home, the horrific realization is undeniable – she's living with a killer.

The story that her husband's first wife ran away never to be seen again now looks like a lie, and the fact he’s insisted on never selling the house suddenly makes sense. But one dark family secret is soon to be replaced by another…

Confirmed cast include Amy Nuttall (The Feud, Downton Abbey), Douglas Henshall (The Revenge Club, Shetland), Denise Welch (Tip Toe, Waterloo Road), Kevin Whately (Inspector Morse, Lewis), Samantha Bond (The Marlow Murder Club, The Inheritance), Lewis Cope (Emmerdale, Strictly Come Dancing), Jenny Walser (Heartstopper, Sweetpea S2), Shane Zaza (Invasion, Big Boys), and James Baxter (Alma’s Not Normal, Waterloo Road).

On the series commission of his novel, Graham Norton said: “In writing Forever Home, I was initially inspired by the simple idea of packing up a home later in life, and the “what if” scenarios and complexities that come with later-life relationships. The novel soon evolved into a funny, twisted, ‘dark-romp’ full of farcical scenes and it’s wonderful to see the depth and richness of Carol’s story realized as a screenplay.”

On adding this adaption to 5’s acclaimed drama slate, Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 comments: “We’re delighted to partner with FilmNation and The Mediapro Studio to bring Graham Norton’s compelling novel to UK screens, supported by an outstanding cast. Working with North East Screen again to champion local filming has been a pleasure, and we can’t wait for viewers to immerse themselves in Forever Home.”

Kirstie Macdonald, FilmNation TV UK Creative Director, said: “From the moment I read the always-hilarious Graham Norton’s brilliant novel, I knew I wanted to bring Forever Home to the screen. It’s a story full of twists and turns, secrets, and emotional depth that we can’t wait to bring to life for 5 audiences. We’re proud to collaborate with Clara Salaman, 5, and our partners at The Mediapro Studio on this thrilling adaptation and are grateful for the support of North East Screen.”

Erika Kennair, Head of Scripted at The Mediapro Studio US & Canada, adds: “We are thrilled to partner with the talented Clara Salaman, the groundbreaking FilmNation and the iconic 5 to bring Graham Norton’s exciting and witty book to life.”

Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director at North East Screen, continues: “Forever Home is our 15^th production supported by the North East Production Fund, a fund which is helping to attract more production to the North East of England and has invested £2.37m in productions so far...

"We’re delighted to be working in partnership with FilmNation and 5 and are looking forward to welcoming the production team to Northumberland, a county which has the perfect locations to suit the story. The North East is fast becoming a hub of TV production and our Film Office and Skills teams have been working closely with the production team to pull together amazing local crew and companies and offer some outstanding opportunities to work in TV.”

Filming in Northumberland and set to air on 5 in 2026, Forever Home is a darkly emotional story about marriage, family and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children.