CHANNEL 5 COMMISSION THRILLER CATCH YOU LATER (wt) FROM CLAPPERBOARD STARRING JASON WATKINS, ROBSON GREEN & SUNETRA SARKER

London, Monday 14th October 2024: Channel 5 has announced today they have greenlit brand-new thriller Catch You Later w.t (4x60’) from Clapperboard, in association with Sphere Abacus who will distribute the series internationally.    

Casting has also been revealed with BAFTA-winning Jason Watkins (Coma, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, W1A) and acclaimed actor Robson Green (Grantchester, Age Before Beauty, Strike Back) starring opposite each other. Sunetra Sarker (Desperate Measures, Casualty, Ackley Bridge) will also star.

The cat and mouse thriller tells the story of Huw Miller (Jason Watkins), a police detective still haunted by the one case that he failed to solve – a stalker who taunted his town, mercilessly toying with his victims before eventually killing them. As Huw attempts to settle into retirement, the case is never far from his mind - and when new neighbour, Patrick Harbottle (Robson Green) moves in and utters the chilling phrase ‘catch you later’ – the sign off the stalker used to taunt Huw during the investigation – Huw is determined he’s finally got his man. What follows is a high stakes game of psychological chess between the two neighbours as Huw’s world begins to crumble around him. Unable to bear the guilt of the stalker taking another victim under his nose, Huw risks everything to unearth the truth. But has he set his sights on the right man, or is his obsession pushing him ever closer to the brink?

The series was ordered by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+, who will Executive Produce with Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK for Channel 5. Rachel Gesua (The Teacher, The Catch, The Holiday, Kidnap & Ransom) will Executive Produce alongside Suzi McIntosh (Silent Witness, The Teacher, The Catch, Peaky Blinders) and MD Mike Benson for Clapperboard with Jonathan Ford and Will Stapley for Sphere Abacus.   Toby Frow (Silent Witness, Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders) will direct the series with Tom Grieves (Being Human, No Offence, Lucky Man) as writer. Mick Pantaleo is also on board as producer.

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+ commented: “We're thrilled to bring this trio of brilliant actors in Jason, Robson and Sunetra to this fantastic and compelling story. It’s a privilege to welcome Jason and Sunetra back to Channel 5 and we are delighted to have Robson in one of our dramas for the first time. We think the Channel 5 audience is going to love Tom Grieves’ fascinating cat and mouse thriller.”

Jason Watkins added: “Really excited to do another Channel 5 thriller, after the success of Coma. This is a different prospect but has all the ingredients for another thrilling ride. So excited to work with Robson - and Sunetra. Another complex and fascinating script: so looking forward to beginning filming!”   

Robson Green said: “I am so stoked to be working alongside Jason Watkins again on the new Channel 5 drama, ‘Catch You Later’. Jason is such a talented actor with a remarkable ability to bring depth and nuance to his characters. The psychological thriller aspect of the story promises to be a gripping ride, and I can't wait to dive into the cat-and-mouse dynamics that Tom Grieves has crafted. It's going to be an unforgettable journey!”

Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard also added: “When we first read Tom’s original treatment for Catch You Later we were utterly compelled – the characters, tone and world were so well drawn even at that early stage – and the project and scripts have developed into something really special. We are especially thrilled to finally have the chance to work with Robson and Jason – two of the UK’s finest (and nicest!) actors – as well as the ever brilliant Sunetra Sarker.”

The series is set to commence filming next month and is expected to air on Channel 5 in 2025.

ENDS

For more information please contact: Channel 5: Emily Holmes emily.holmes@paramount.com & Kate Killgour kate.killgour@paramount.com 

About Channel 5: Channel 5 is a multi-award-winning public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014. Its portfolio includes digital channels 5STAR, 5USA, 5SELECT, 5ACTION. 

Channel 5 and on-demand platform My5 offer a diverse range of critically acclaimed, original programmes featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent – from issue-led documentaries, popular factual series and accessible history shows to premium drama and agenda-setting news & current affairs. Channel 5 is the only PSB to air children’s content daily through its much-loved programming strand Milkshake!, home to some of the world’s favourite pre-school characters. The free to air channel’s distinctive British programming aims to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK.

This year Channel 5 has continued to attract industry acclaim for documentary White Nanny Black Child, winning both a BAFTA Television Award (specialist factual) and an RTS Award, whilst Endurance Race to the Pole received a BAFTA nomination in the factual entertainment category. In 2023, Who Killed Billie Jo? won best documentary series at the inaugural True Crime Awards and home-grown drama All Creatures Great and Small took home the Stress Buster Award at the Radio Times’ Screen Test Awards.

About Clapperboard: Since launch, Clapperboard has delivered over 20 series and 100 hours of television, including critically acclaimed ratings winners The Teacher, The Holiday, The Ex Wife, The Cuckoo, and Maxine for Channel 5 and The Castaways and The Serial Killer's Wife for Paramount+. It was shortlisted for Best Production Company in the Edinburgh TV Awards 2022 and Best Independent Production Company at the Broadcast Awards 2024.   Returning dramas currently in production include The Ex Wife for Paramount+ and The Good Ship Murder for Channel 5, which recently announced a double commission for series 2 and 3. The studio also co-produces hit comedy drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries, created and co-written by Sally Lindsay, currently in production with series 4.   Clapperboard along with its partner companies, Chalkboard and Storyboard Studios, are part of iZen, the producer-led content group comprising a network of independent production companies in Spain, the Middle East and the UK.   

About Sphere Abacus: Sphere Abacus is the distribution arm of Sphere Media operating alongside the company’s highly successful production business. In addition to working with Sphere Media production companies, Sphere Abacus acquires and distributes a diverse slate of premium, multi-genre programming in the international market.  At the same time, the company also works with independent producers to facilitate pre-sales and development finance as well as broadcaster commissions. Embracing a fully transparent reporting ethos throughout, SA focuses on building strong client relationships and generating positive solutions at every stage of the process, from initial financing to worldwide broadcast to successfully deliver scripted and non-scripted entertainment that counts to a global audience. Further details: www.sphere-abacus.com