Death in Paradise legend confirmed to join cast of all-star psychological thriller on “destructive rumour-mongering”

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* A well-known actor from “Death in Paradise” joins the confirmed cast for an upcoming psychological drama titled “Hunting Alice Bell,” airing on Channel 4.

Joining the cast for this upcoming production are Ralf Little, famously known for his role as Neville Parker in a BBC detective series; Alexandra Roach, who starred in Lazarus; Simon Pegg, recognized for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning; Amanda Abbington, best known from Sherlock; Emily Barber, a familiar face from MobLand; Christina Bennington, with her role in Halo; and Rudi Dharmalingam, from the series Missing You.

The show is created by comedian, author, and radio host David Baddiel, together with his regular collaborator Peter Bradshaw. Additionally, Polly Buckle and Kate Vergese are also contributors to the writing process.

The summary for Hunting Alice Bell describes a character named Alice Bell who was previously a nurse and had a relationship with a notorious serial killer anaesthetist. She now resides in Britain under a different name. However, when rumors online suggest that Fran Da Silva is actually Alice Bell, the tranquility of her family life crumbles under a torrent of public outrage.

Later on, she finds out that she isn’t alone in enduring this ordeal. Fran and the other accused women unite to defend themselves and restore their reputations. However, while they strive to establish their innocence, there’s a possibility that one of them might not be truthful – could it be that the real Alice Bell is among them?

According to Deadline’s report, Baddiel mentioned that the idea for the series stemmed from actual incidents involving British women being harassed due to rumors suggesting they were detested national symbols secretly residing among us within the community.

He explained that it eventually transformed into a six-act play, with a primary focus on how such devastating rumor-spreading, capable of igniting riots and uncontrollable mob fury, has been amplified through social media.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed an intriguing twist in today’s narrative: technology has given rise to a fresh perspective on mistaken identity. In the current cultural landscape, we’re led to believe that each of us has the freedom to shape our identities as we wish. Yet, this very same liberty makes us vulnerable – it grants others the power to strip us of our true selves: the collective consciousness can redefine who you are.

In the story of Hunting Alice Bell, these five characters experience a situation where they’ve relinquished grip over their identities, living in a world where personal identity is constantly evolving.

Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, expressed her enthusiasm by saying: ‘We’re thrilled to be working with Clapperboard and Sphere Abacus on a suspenseful whodunnit as we expand our collection of scripted shows. With an impressive creative crew and talented cast, we believe this project will hold the interest of our viewers and keep them guessing.’

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2025-09-08 13:58