A new 5 drama adaptation of a Graham Norton novel has been confirmed, with a stacked cast announced. Based on the presenter’s 2022 novel, Forever Home focuses on a woman who learns that her husband may be a killer.
Central character Carol Crottie discovers a body in her basement, leading to the horrific realisation about husband Robert. As such, the story he told about his first wife ran away now appears to be a lie and the reasons over his insistence on not selling their home become clearer.
Deadline has also unveiled the cast, including Shetland’s Douglas Henshall, Downton Abbey’s Amy Nuttall, Waterloo Road’s Denise Welch and James Baxter, Lewis’ Kevin Whately, The Marlow Murder Club’s Samantha Bond, Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope, Big Boys’ Shane Zaza and Heartstopper’s Jenny Walser.
Too Close’s Clara Salaman is adapting the novel for the screen, while Norton is on board as an executive producer.
“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,” Norton said.
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“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.”
“From the moment I read the always-hilarious Graham Norton’s brilliant novel, I knew I wanted to bring Forever Home to the screen,” added FilmNation Creative Director Kirstie Macdonald.
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“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.
This isn’t the first of the author’s novels to be adapted, with a TV version of Holding airing on ITV four years ago. Game of Thrones’ Conleth Hill led the crime drama alongside Derry Girls’ Siobhán McSweeney and Peaky Blinders’ Charlene McKenna, with comedy legend Kathy Burke directing.
Forever Home will air on 5.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Â Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.