THE GAME: GREEN AND WATKINS THRILLER SET FOR SECOND SERIES ON CHANNEL 5

TV Zone
1 hour ago
3 min read

The four-part thriller starring Jason Watkins, Robson Green and Sunetra Sarker is set for a second series on Channel 5. Speaking to Televisual, Channel 5's head of drama Sebastian Cardwell said: "We see that as a three season story."

In the first series, former detective Huw (Watkins) settles into retirement alongside his wife Alice (Sarker) but never far from his mind is the case he failed to solve – The Ripton Stalker. And when new neighbour, Patrick (Green) moves in and utters the chilling phrase ‘catch you later’ – the sign off the stalker used to taunt Huw, he’s determined he’s finally got his man.

What follows is a high-stakes game of psychological chess between the neighbours as Huw risks everything to unearth the truth. But has he got the right man, or has his obsession pushed him to the brink?

Haunted by memories of a failed arrest that allowed the Ripton Stalker to remain free, Detective Inspector Huw Miller says his goodbyes on his final day before retirement. DI Martin Flint and the other detectives barely take notice, only DS Jenny Atkins tries to give him some sort of sendoff.

Helped by his wife, Alice, Huw remains upbeat, throwing himself into retirement, playing golf with his neighbour Frank. But Huw’s mind remains busy, searching online about the Ripton Stalker. And when Huw discovers Frank dead in the bath, this suburban street is sent into disarray.

Adamant that it’s not suicide, Huw asks Jenny for help. Something is wrong. Moving into Frank’s old house is the handsome and enigmatic Patrick Harbottle who introduces himself to the neighbours, Liz, Steve and Paul.

As the men go down the pub, Huw and Patrick seem to hit it off. But when Patrick says the three words ‘catch you later’, a phrase that the Ripton Stalker always signed off with in his letters, Huw is sent spiraling. Is Patrick the Ripton Stalker?

Huw’s suspicion mounts as he pleads with Jenny to see Frank’s post-mortem report. Huw tries to get to know Patrick and soon feels on edge. Returning home, Huw’s shocked to find Patrick in his home with Alice. They’re invited to a house-warming party. That night, Huw takes the opportunity to snoop around. Later, Huw still can’t shake his feelings. He looks out the window and sees Patrick, staring back…

Channel 5 have teased that it's set to reboot a "huge" drama title. 5's Head Of Drama Sebastian Cardwell told Televisual: "We’ve got an IP play we’re close to rebooting, a very big show. That would be amazing. Hopefully we will have news of that early next year."

Cardwell added: "We’re shifting a little bit into comedy drama space. We will probably invest in bigger, richer character-driven precinct shows. Shows that viewers of Hardacres and All Creatures might move across to."

Meanwhile, Channel 5 have ordered a second run of drama anthology strand Play For Today following its relaunch earlier this year. The second run, due to air next year, will consist of six new stories. The recommission was revealed by Broadcast.

Inspired by the iconic Play for Today format, each production will champion new voices and focus on bringing low-income talent into the spotlight behind the scenes in writing, directing and production roles.

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor for 5, said: "The response to the first series of Play for Today was extraordinary, not only from audiences but from talent across the industry. This strand is about opening doors to new off-screen talent, taking creative risks, and giving new voices the space to thrive. We’re incredibly proud to expand the strand and discover the next wave of brilliant storytellers."

The second series will include: Wild - set in the Scottish highlands which follows three friends on their annual camping trip; The Quiet Hour - a story set in an NHS hospital during a nightshift; Village Idiot - a comedy about an older woman who resists eviction from her home by train developers.

Also: Closing Time - a story about an undocumented migrant working in his uncle's kebab shop; Tatters - a story about a woman forced between family and her political beliefs, and The Castle - a story about siblings who are left by themselves after their mother vanishes.