5 Commissions New Drama Series Last Resort (w/t) from Pernel Media Starring Caroline Quentin, Tessa Peake-Jones, Jason Watkins and John Hannah

Niamh Cusack, Bronagh Waugh and further cast also confirmed

5 today announce new commission Last Resort (w/t), a 6x60’ drama that sees a group of friends thrust into the murky underbelly of a quaint seaside village. Currently filming and set to air on 5 in 2027, Last Resort (w/t) is a deceptively dark tale of village life produced by Pernel Media in association with Peer Pressure and STUDIOCANAL. STUDIOCANAL will handle international distribution for the series.   

The series finds retired librarian Gail (Caroline Quentin - The Lazarus Project, Jonathan Creek), her sister Joy (Niamh Cusack - Big Mood, I Jack Wright) who suffers from early-stage dementia, and old friends Dee (Tessa Peake-Jones - Grantchester and Only Fools and Horses) and Charlie (Jason Watkins - Dirty Business, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies) setting off for a fun filled holiday meant to be Joy’s bucket list trip. But when tragedy strikes in the idyllic holiday town, the police are quick to call it an accident. However, the group are convinced it is murder and set out to prove it.   

The friends dive into their own investigation with the help of Joy’s daughter Kate (Bronagh Waugh - Ridley, The Stolen Girl) soon crossing paths with DI Simon Lund (John Hannah - The Mummy, The Last of Us). As old crimes surface and dark patterns emerge, the group of friends finds that this seemingly idyllic resort town – with its beach walks, pub lunches, and good-natured bickering - hides something far more sinister. Together they must piece together one devastating mystery and track down a killer who has been hunting in this close–knit costal community and beyond.   

Further cast confirmed includes Cathy Belton (The Hardacres, Miss Scarlet), Ella Dacres (The Bends, Paddington in Peru) Simon Coury (Intruder, Maxine), Chizzy Akudolu (Little Disasters, Woman in the Wall), Geff Francis (Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, Midsomer Murders) Tadhg Murphy (Time Bandits, Brassic) Jane Brennan (Hidden Assets, Brooklyn) Conor Mullen (Blue Lights, Mr Bates vs. The Post Office) Jonathan Harden (Time, Blue Lights) Karyna Khymchuk (Urchin, On Falling), Nora Nagys (The Last Duel, Gretel & Hansel) and Robin Maher Kavanagh (My Battle with Blue).   

Last Resort (w/t) was commissioned for 5 by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer and is co-created by Samuel Kissous and Matthew Thomas. Executive Producers for the series are Samuel Kissous for Pernel Media and Richard Cook and Angela Squire for Peer Pressure. Writers for the series include lead writer Matthew Thomas (Missed Call, Marcella), David Turpin (The Ex-Wife, Girl Taken), and Rebbecca Wojciechowski (The Teacher, Silent Witness) with Sean Ellis (The Cut, Anthropoid) joining as the series director.   

On filming the series, Caroline Quentin comments: “I’m thrilled to be on screen with two of my long-time favourite actors Tessa Peake-Jones and Jason Watkins. With the added joy of Bronagh, Niamh, and the rest of this brilliant cast, it’s an unstoppable team! Pernel are producing some of the most exciting drama out there at the moment so this is one to watch. Matthew Thomas has created something moving, funny and terrifying. It’s quite a ride!”   

Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, 5 adds: “There are plenty of twists and turns in Last Resort (w/t)!  Pernel Media and Peer Pressure are brilliant collaborators, and with this calibre of talent onboard, Last Resort (w/t) is a great addition to 5’s acclaimed drama slate.”   

Samuel Kissous, Founder and Executive Producer, Pernel Media says: "Last Resort (w/t) is exactly the kind of drama we at Pernel Media love producing - an extraordinary cast led by Caroline Quentin, Tessa Peake-Jones, Jason Watkins and John Hannah, gripping mystery with strong international commercial potential, and a story that will keep audiences guessing until the very end. We’re building on a rapidly expanding slate of UK dramas, reflecting our ever-growing and exciting relationship with 5 and our strong ties with the UK scripted creative community.”   

Alix Lebrat SVP Series for France & Southern Europe, STUDIOCANAL expands: "British mystery drama continues to travel exceptionally well with international audiences, and Last Resort (w/t) has all the hallmarks of a series that will resonate far beyond the UK. With stellar performances from a highly recognisable and brilliantly talented cast, we are delighted to team up with 5 and Pernel Media for the first time on a scripted series and to now bring this beautifully crafted show to our partners around the world. This aligns perfectly with STUDIOCANAL's strategy and as we continue to actively develop and produce a rich and diverse slate of must watch television through our own network of production companies."    

Last Resort (w/t) is the third UK scripted series for Pernel Media commissioned by 5, building on the success of The Au Pair (starring Sir David Suchet) last year, and Missed Call (starring Joanna Scanlan) this year.    

ENDS   

For further information, please contact: kate.killgour@paramount.com   

Notes to Editors:   

About 5: 

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Skydance Corporation. Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from the 5-branded portfolio, the dedicated preschool brand Milkshake!, and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount+ and more.  In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.    

Recent wins include ‘Favourite Broadcaster/Streaming Service’ at the 2026 TV Choice Awards; ‘Channel of the Year’ at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Awards; BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024; along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries.    

About Pernel Media: 

Pernel Media is an award-winning international production company founded in 2009, with offices in France and the UK. One of Europe’s most dynamic factual producers, the company is also now quickly expanding its English-speaking scripted slate, working in close collaboration with more than 30 international broadcast partners.   Pernel Media has been consistently recognised in the RealScreen Global 100 since 2019 and is currently ranked among the Top 10 global coproduction partners, reflecting its strong track record in premium international storytelling. Over the past years, the company has produced successful international crime series such as ‘The Innocence Network’ and ‘20 Years on Death Row’. Alongside its factual slate, Pernel Media has expanded into international scripted co-productions, including the recently released dramas ‘Missed Call, starring Joanna Scanlon, Rupert Graves and Robert Lindsey and ‘The Au Pair’ starring Sir David Suchet, both for 5.   

About STUDIOCANAL (a CANAL+ Company): 

STUDIOCANAL, CANAL+’s in-house studio, is Europe’s leading film and television studio. Through its in-house operations and network of 23 production companies across Europe and the US, STUDIOCANAL finances, produces and distributes around 100 films per year, and produces more than 20 premium local and international series. STUDIOCANAL owns one of the world’s most prestigious film libraries, including the largest catalogue of European films, with nearly 10,000 titles from 60 countries spanning a century of cinema. Since 2020, the studio has invested €25 million in the 4K restoration of 1,000 films, including Breathless, The Graduate, Terminator 2, and Love Actually. Building on the global success of Paddington, STUDIOCANAL is scaling its franchise model through three new labels: STUDIOCANAL Stories, focused on adapting literary hits for film and TV; STUDIOCANAL Kids & Family, dedicated to building children’s entertainment franchises, and STUDIOCANAL ON STAGE, specialising in adapting films for live theatre.   

About STUDIOCANAL TELEVISION: 

STUDIOCANAL recently launched its in‑house TV production arm, debuting with Army of Shadows for Channel 4 and CANAL+ shooting in 2026. The new division builds on the strength of STUDIOCANAL, a leading film and television studio with extensive global production and distribution capabilities. It operates directly across nine major European markets, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the extensive CANAL+ footprint. The studio holds stakes in 23 production companies worldwide and is dedicated to making premium, popular television for the global market.