What would you do if a rumour about a killer landed on your doorstep? That’s the compelling premise of Channel 5’s sharp new psychological drama, The Rumour, which tells the story of a small town wrecked by gossip. And it all starts with a single rumour.

Starring Rivals' Emily Atack and All Creatures Great and Small's Rachel Shenton, the series centres around Joanna (Shenton), a young mum who’s new in town and uses a rumour she found online to make friends at the school gates. It seems harmless at first, only Joanna is about to learn how quickly small-town gossip can spiral out of control – and quite how dangerous the consequences can be.

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama at Channel 5 has said the series "promises edge-of-your-seat suspense and a fascinating exploration of the thin line between trust and fear" - which sounds right up our street. Ahead of its arrival on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the new psychological drama you won't want to keep to yourself…

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What is The Rumour about?

The five-part series is based on Lesley Kara’s bestselling 2018 novel of the same name and will introduce us to Joanna (Rachel Shenton), a young mother who’s in desperate need of a new beginning. Determined to leave her old life behind, she moves with her young son, Alfie, to the coastal town of Flinstead, where her Mum lives – and where she hopes to start a quieter life.

the rumour
Channel 5

But when Joanna stumbles upon an online rumour about a notorious child killer who’s now living in the town under a new identity, she uses it to win over the mums at the school gates – and she quickly becomes entangled in the unsettling dynamics of the community. According to the official synopsis, “As gossip spreads, suspicions build, and Joanna finds herself drawn into a web of secrets and paranoia.

“Balancing her efforts to protect her son with the growing unease in town, Joanna struggles to distinguish between truth and hearsay. With relationships strained and emotions running high, the boundaries between trust and fear blur.”

Dixie Linder, Executive Producer for production company Cuba Pictures, has described it as a “compelling thriller,” adding: “The Rumour delves into the unsettling impact of gossip, paranoia, and suspicion in a close-knit community. With a brilliant cast and a fantastic creative team, we can’t wait for audiences to see it.”

Rachel Shenton, who plays Joanna, says: “The Rumour is a story of a woman unravelling as she relentlessly pursues the truth. She’s very relatable and the cast are amazing. It’s lovely to work with so many women.”

What book is The Rumour based on?

The Rumour is based on Lesley Kara’s Sunday Times bestselling debut book of the same name. Kara released The Rumour at the end of 2018, and it was the highest selling print crime fiction debut of 2019. It’s since been sold in over 18 countries, so it’s hardly surprising it’s now the subject of a major TV series.

Who’s starring in The Rumour?

the rumour
Channel 5

The cast of The Rumour includes:

  • Rachel Shenton (All Creatures Great and Small, For Her Sins)
  • Joanne Whalley (Wolf Hall, Scandal)
  • Emily Atack (Rivals)
  • Samuel Anderson (Doctor Who, Another Life)
  • Ellie Haddington (Enola Holmes, Motherland)
  • Lucy Speed (Unforgotten, Afterlife)
  • Liza Sadovy (A Real Pain, Patience)
  • Carryl Thomas (Silent Witness, EastEnders)
  • Tamzin Griffin (Trigger Point)
  • Alex Waldmann (Julius Caesar)
  • Okezie Morro (The Mist)

How can I watch The Rumour?

Channel 5 (now officially rebranded to 5) hasn’t yet shared an official release date for The Rumour, but we do know it will be released at some point this year. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here.