Produced by Lonesome Pine Productions and Peer Pressure, in association with Eccho Rights, the series will premiere on Channel 5 and be distributed internationally by Eccho Rights.
Channel 5 announce today they have greenlit four-part primetime thriller The Inheritance (4 x 60’) from Lonesome Pine Productions and Peer Pressure, produced in association with Eccho Rights (a Night Train Media company).
The series was ordered for Channel 5 by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+. Executive Producers are Lesley Douglas and Aschlin Ditta for Lonesome Pine, Richard Cook and Angela Squire for Peer Pressure and Herbert L. Kloiber, James Copp for Night Train Media, and Adam Barth for Eccho Rights.
Eccho Rights will handle international sales for the title.
BAFTA nominated Aschlin Ditta (Doc Martin, The Catherine Tate Show, French Film) also penned the series, and acclaimed Director Aku Louhimies (Unknown Soldier, Rebellion) is also on board.
Casting for lead roles in the series has also been revealed with Robert James-Collier (Downton Abbey, Ackley Bridge, Coronation St), Gaynor Faye (The Syndicate, Emmerdale, Fat Friends, Coronation Street) and Jemima Rooper (Gold Digger, Matriarch, Flowers in the Attic) playing siblings Daniel, Sian and Chloe. Larry Lamb (EastEnders, Gavin & Stacey) will play their Father, Dennis with Samantha Bond (GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Downton Abbey) as Susan and Kevin Whately (Morse, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Inspector Lewis) will star as Michael. Adil Ray (Citizen Khan, Blithe Spirit Ackley Bridge), Moe Dunford (The Head, Nightride, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Vikings), Kevin Harvey (Time, Sandman, Treason), and Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless, Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything) will also feature.
The Inheritance follows the story of three siblings, Daniel, Sian and Chloe, who are left reeling after the unexpected death of their Father, Dennis. When it turns out they are not left anything in the will, they embark on a dangerous journey to figure out whether his death was truly a tragic accident, or whether it was in fact murder. So, a family who look harmonious and loving start to show the cracks borne of years of secrets and jealousy. Secrets are exploded, relationships ripped apart, and lives lost as the siblings try desperately to claw back their inheritance and make sense of what is happening around them…asking the question, is blood really thicker than water?
Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+ said: “I’m excited to work with the talented teams at Lonesome Pine and Peer Pressure to bring this compelling story to Channel 5. With an exceptional ensemble cast, The Inheritance is a brilliant addition to the channel’s ever-expanding drama slate and will have viewers on the edge of their seats. I’m looking forward to seeing it air later on this year.”
“The complexity and twists and turns of this brilliant family drama excited us enormously. Familiar characters coupled with the nightmare scenario of a long counted-on inheritance suddenly evaporating is something that will strike a nerve with all of us! We are delighted to be working alongside a great variety of international partners to bring it to life”, said Adam Barth, Director of Co-productions, Acquisitions, and Development, Eccho Rights.
Lesley Douglas, Founder, Lonesome Pine Productions added: “The Inheritance is a drama that reveals the fragile structure of a family when confronted by the truth of their own past. The consequences of which will be devastating. We are thrilled at the cast who have come together to bring these characters to life, and working with Channel 5 and Peer Pressure has been a brilliantly creative experience.”
Richard Cook and Angela Squire, Directors, Peer Pressure commented: “It has been a joy working with the creative team at Lonesome Pine and Channel 5 to develop The Inheritance from a germ of an idea which we believe will resonate with many viewers. It is testament to Aschlin Ditta’s compelling scripts, which jump off the page, that we have been able to attract such an outstanding and high profile cast and creatives, in particular the hugely talented Director Aku Louhimies who will bring THE INHERITANCE to screen in a very exciting and immersive way which will have the audience hooked, night after night. Filming in Ireland as England is a perfect reflection of Peer Pressure’s DNA and sensibilities.”
Filming for the series begins on the 30th January 2023 on location in Ireland and is expected to air on Channel 5 in 2023.
