The Night Caller | Preview (Channel 5)
A contemporary thriller based in Liverpool about a lonely taxi driver’s growing obsession with a late-night Radio DJ.
Tony (Robert Glenister), in his 50s, drives a black cab, doing the night shift in the city. He used to be a popular and respected teacher but after losing his job, his confidence plummeted, his marriage collapsed, and he’s become increasingly isolated. Now his only lifelines are cafe-worker Rosa (Suzanne Packer), whom he forms a growing attachment to, and a radio DJ called Lawrence (Sean Pertwee) whom he spends his nights listening to.
One night Tony plucks up the courage and rings NightTalk to speak to Lawrence, and soon becomes a ‘friend of the show’. For the first time in years, he feels listened to. But as time passes, his developing bond with the late-night DJ begins to turn into an unhealthy obsession as he starts interpreting Lawrence's ‘world view’ in dangerous ways that have devastating impacts on Tony’s life.
One night, by chance, Lawrence gets into Tony’s cab. The initial excitement at meeting takes a turn when Tony realises this DJ isn't the man he purports to be. Lawrence is a fake and Tony feels betrayed.
The Night Caller is a claustrophobic tale about the power of influence those with the loudest voice have over the most vulnerable people.