Truelove | Preview (Channel 4)

Truelove is a unique spin on a cat and mouse thriller, centring on a gang of older friends who make a pact that, if and when the time comes, rather than let each other suffer a dreadful decline they will engineer a more dignified death as a sign of ‘Truelove’.

But when an intrepid young police officer discovers that there is more to this group of retirees than meets the eye, events soon take a surprising and dangerous turn…

With a core cast in their 70s, Truelove offers a refreshingly different take on older age, with its thrilling twists, wry sense of humour, and a passionate love story at its heart, celebrating second chances and the idea that it’s never too late. Meanwhile underpinning all of this is the knottiest of moral questions – is it ever right to help end of life?

Episode 1: Phil (Philippa) had a long and distinguished career in the police, but is thirteen years retired and very, very bored. Meanwhile Ken, a solitary SAS veteran, feels similarly at sea.

They reunite for the first time in years at a friend’s funeral, and – at the drunken wake – they and their friends take it in turns to imagine what a dignified death looks like, dreaming of quality of years over quantity. Naturally, Phil and Ken would make the perfect team to help any ill friends with a ‘solution’.

Ken could kill them, and Phil could use her detective skills to cover up the crime and make it look like a natural departure. It’s just like police work in reverse, after all. What starts as a joke morphs into reality when their beloved friend Tom asks them to make the ultimate sacrifice…

Episode 2: Phil and Ken are badly shaken after Tom’s death, and desperate to cover up their crime. As they readjust to normal life, a young police officer Ayesha Kareem discovers Tom’s body washed up with his boat. However, she begins to suspect foul play…

Episode 3: Ayesha can’t let her suspicions about Tom’s death go and becomes convinced she’s found evidence of murder. Meanwhile, Marion’s health deteriorates.

Episode 4: Phil and Ken rekindle their romance and, spurred on by Phil, Ken reconnects with his family. But Ayesha is starting to suspect that her mentor might have something to do with all of these deaths…

Episode 5: Phil’s antennae are raised when she finds out that Marion’s doctor had no idea about her dementia. Meanwhile, Ayesha closes in on Phil.

Episode 6: Phil and Ken are left reeling by the truth about Marion. Phil must do everything she can to save Ken from ruining the rest of his life and make amends for a love she let pass her by fifty years ago.

Truelove begins Wednesday 3rd January on BBC One.