Deadline | Preview (Channel 5)

James D’Arcy and Charlie Murphy lead the cast in new four-part noir thriller Deadline for Channel 5.

James D’Arcy (Agent Carter, Broadchurch) plays James Alden. With a youthful mistake from his past putting a stop to his career as an investigative journalist, James is on a quest for redemption, making him the perfect candidate to get to the bottom of Natalie Varga’s story. Charlie Murphy (Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley) is Natalie.

After a traumatic childhood, Natalie escaped her roots to study at Cambridge University. Adept at shifting seamlessly from warm to aloof, from relatable to untouchable, Natalie has perfected the art of being elusive. But now the murder of her husband threatens to define her in a very concrete way.

Indra Ové (Breeders, Unforgotten) joins the cast as Barbara, a longstanding friend and former flame of James’. Now his boss at Patchwork Pictures, Barbara’s affection for James is often pushed to the limit by his reckless pursuits for the truth.

Brian Caspe (Jojo Rabbit, Doctor Who, Carnival Row, Hitman's Wife’s Bodyguard), Anamaria Marinca (Tin Star, Temple) also take on roles in the ensemble cast for the new series.

Episode 1 synopsis: "James Alden is a washed-up journalist making trashy documentaries when he lands the interview of the decade. Natalie Varga is suspected of murdering her rich Hungarian husband and she makes James an offer: find the killer and she’ll give him the exclusive story everyone wants...

"Years ago, James was a rising star, but he made one terrible mistake that derailed his career. By helping Natalie, James has a chance to get his life back — but it won’t be easy as his investigations attract the attention of sinister henchman Toth, who warns him off."

On the casting, Mike Benson, Executive Producer for Clapperboard TV, said: “We are really excited to be producing something with a nod to the neo-noirs of the 80s and early 90s. With James, Charlie and Indra leading a fantastic cast - and some brilliant scripts packed with doubles crosses and duplicity – we are hoping we can do justice to the genre that has inspired us.”

Deadline begins Tuesday 5th April at 9pm on Channel 4.