CHANNEL 5 COMMISSIONS NEW DRAMA LOVE RAT FROM CLAPPERBOARD WITH ENTERTAINMENT ONE

SALLY LINDSAY CAST ALONGSIDE, NEIL MORRISSEY, ALEXIS GEORGOULIS AND RAMON TIKARAM

Channel 5 have today announced the commission of a brand-new drama Love Rat, an escapist fantasy which transforms into a terrifying psychological thriller, made by Chalkboard’s scripted sister company, Clapperboard and distributed internationally by Entertainment One (eOne).

Key casting has also been announced today with Sally Lindsay leading the ensemble cast, and joined alongside by Neil Morrissey, Alexis Georgoulis and Ramon Tikaram. 

This four-part series (4 x 60’’) will follow recently divorced Emma, played by Sally Lindsay (The Madame Blanc Mysteries) as she enjoys a whirlwind holiday romance with charming hotel proprietor, Niko, played by Alexis Georgoulis (The Durrells) on the paradise island of Cyprus. When she realises that Niko and his partner-in-crime George, played by Ramon Tikaram (Pennyworth, Brassic, The Great), have scammed her out of her life savings, she embarks on a dangerous mission to get her money back, aided by ex-husband Pete, played by Neil Morrissey (Line of Duty, Unforgotten).

Love Rat was ordered for Channel 5 by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, UK at Paramount.  Executive producers for Clapperboard are Mike Benson and Andy Morgan, with producer Jonathan Phillips. Polly Buckle (A Discovery of Witches) is lead writer, and Katherine Churcher (Grantchester, Killing Eve) joins as director.

On joining the cast of Love Rat, Sally Lindsay said: “Love Rat is a brilliantly entertaining story, full of twists and surprises; it really turns the topic on its head which is what drew me to the project. Emma is an interesting and layered character that everyone will be rooting for as she takes control of her situation and her destiny.”

On the new addition to Channel 5’s slate Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK comments: “I’m really happy to work once more with the creative and talented team at Clapperboard Studios to bring Love Rat to screens, and with a stellar cast including Sally Lindsay, who our viewers know and love as Jean White in The Madame Blanc Mysteries and in Cold Call prior to that. Expanding Channel 5’s original drama slate, this psychological thriller promises to be one to remember.”

Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard added: “In developing Love Rat we were determined to avoid some of the clichés and tropes you might expect when exploring such provocative subject matter. Polly and the team have done a brilliant job adding nuance, surprise and authenticity to the story and characters – and of course it’s lovely to be working once more with the multi-talented Sally Lindsay.”   

Love Rat begins filming in Cyprus this month and is due to air in 2023 on Channel 5. Further casting details will be announced in due course.

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For further enquiries please contact: 

Hannah Allan | Hannah.Allan@vimn.com 

Kate Keilty | Kate.Keilty@vimn.com

About Channel 5 

Channel 5 is a public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been owned by Paramount since September 2014. Channel 5, 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select and My5 TV reach 3 in 4 of the UK viewing public each month with a diverse schedule including issue-led documentaries, popular factual, accessible history, stunning natural history, inclusive entertainment and reality, top level sport, high quality scripted programming and critically acclaimed children’s, news and current affairs programming.   

Through its agenda-driving commissions, Channel 5 has led on societal issues from inequality to inner city gang life, homelessness to mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the nation.  My5 is an on-demand service allowing viewers to watch content online for free from Channel 5, 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select and 5Spike, as well as selected third-party channels.

In 2018, Channel 5 won its first BAFTA for Cruising with Jane McDonald and was named ‘Channel of the Year’ at the Edinburgh TV Festival. In 2019, Chanel 5 won best documentary award for The Abused at the RTS Awards, Edinburgh TV Awards and the Association of International Broadcasters Awards. In 2020, Channel 5 was crowned Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Digital Awards and Channel of the Year at the RTS awards.   

About Paramount Global 

Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic studios, networks and streaming services, its portfolio of consumer brands includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, Paramount Global provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions.   

About Clapperboard Studios

Clapperboard Studios was set up in 2020 as the scripted label and partner company of Chalkboard – Producers of 2019’s Cold Call - and Storyboard Studios in Scotland. Since its inception Clapperboard have gone on to produce a diverse range of dramas including the critically acclaimed The Teacher, the ratings winning Intruder and the hit comedy drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries for Channel 5. 

The company is currently in production with 6 new dramas due to launch in 2022 and 2023 including the new Paramount + adaption of the acclaimed Jess Ryder novel The Ex Wife - produced in partnership with Blackbox. Clapperboard is headed up by Exec Producer and MD Mike Benson and in 2022 has been nominated for Best Production Company at the Edinburgh TV Festival Awards.   

About eOne 

Entertainment One Ltd. (eOne) is a talent-driven independent studio that specializes in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. As part of global play and entertainment company Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS), eOne's expertise spans across film and television production and sales; production, distribution and brand management of kids and family properties; and digital content. Through its extensive reach and scale, and a deep commitment to high-quality entertainment, eOne unlocks the power and value of creativity.   eOne brings to market both original and existing content, sourcing IP from Hasbro’s portfolio of 1500+ brands, and through a diversified network of creative partners and eOne companies.