Why Channel 5’s ‘nail-biting’ thriller The Heights is on my watchlist

If you love getting wrapped up in a compelling psychological thriller as much as I do, Channel 5’s upcoming six-part series, The Heights, needs to be on your radar.

Based on Louise Candlish’s bestselling novel, the newly announced series follows a devoted mum whose life begins to unravel after her teenage son brings home a reckless and manipulative new friend. 

Marcella star Anna Friel leads the cast, alongside DCI Banks actor Stephen Tompkinson, Line of Duty’s Mark Stobbart and more. 

Hailed as a compulsive, sinister, and twist-filled story with a dark edge, the adaptation is in excellent hands with Clapperboard, the production company behind hit thrillers like The Ex-Wife and The Teacher.

With filming currently underway, find out all you need to know about the show ahead of its debut on 5 later this year. 

What is The Heights about? 

Billed as a “nail-biting, psychological thriller exploring the power of maternal love and how grief can blur the lines between justice and revenge,” the series centres around Ellen, who is happily living and working in London, devoted to her family and fiercely protective of her children.

© Robert Harper

The synopsis continues: “But when her teenage son Lucas brings new friend Kieran, played by Conrad Khan home, cracks began to appear in Ellen’s family life. Kieran is rude, reckless and manipulative – leading Lucas astray, wasting his promise. 

“As Lucas falls deeper under Kieran’s influence, Ellen becomes increasingly desperate to protect him — but a devastating tragedy leaves her consumed by grief, rage and a growing obsession with the truth. Jumping between the past and present day, family secrets and lies unravel in this thrilling new series.”

Who stars in The Heights?

Anna Friel, who you’ll know from Marcella and Pushing Daisies, leads the cast as Ellen. 

On taking on the starring role in The Heights, Anna said: “Really excited to be diving into this world, to work with our brilliant director Dominic and wonderful crew. We have such a strong creative team, and I hope we make something moving and entertaining.”

© Phil Sharp

She’s joined by newcomer Kit Redding as Ellen’s son Lucas, Conrad Khan (County Lines, Peaky Blinders) as Kieran and Diarmuid Noyes (Christy, Double Blind) as her ex-husband Vic.

© Topher McGrillis

Other cast members include Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks, This is Not a Murder Mystery) as Ratcliffe, Mark Stobbart (House of the Dragon, Line of Duty) as Justin, Charis Agbonlahor (The Hardacres, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast) as Prisca, Natasha Raphael (Malory Towers, The Diary of Anne Frank) as Freya, Yasmine Odofin (Joy) as Jade and Jolly Abraham (Anniversary, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit) as DI Wilson.

When will The Heights be released? 

5 has yet to announce a release date for The Heights, which is expected to arrive later this year. With filming currently underway, we’d expect the show to debut towards the end of 2026.