Channel 4 has unveiled the new cast joining the upcoming six-part drama, Up to No Good, about an older serial killer with a tortured past.
Oscar winner Glenn Close was previously announced as the lead. She'll be joined by the likes of Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie and Downton Abbey star Penelope Wilton in the new series, which is based on Helene Tursten's short story collections, An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good and An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed.I'll certainly be marking my calendar for this one.
Not only is the story inspired by Swedish crime fiction writer Helene Tursten's hit novel series, but the cast list is seriously impressive.
Plus, the series producer is Morenike Williams, whose previous credits include Killing Eve and Culprits, so it's safe to say viewers are in good hands!
Keep reading to find out more.
© Arturo HolmesClaudia Jessie has joined the cast
Who has joined the cast of Up to No Good?
Starring alongside Glenn Close, who plays Maud Oldcastle, are Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie as Hannah, Andor star Gloria Obianyo as Astrid, Doctor Who's Anita Dobson as Elsa, and Downton Abbey's Penelope Wilton as Charlotte.
Rounding out the impressive ensemble cast are Ben Crompton (Game Of Thrones, Lockwood & Co) as Barry and Meera Syal (The Wheel of Time, The Revenge Club) as Margaret.
© WireImageGlenn Close leads the cast
What to expect from Up to No Good
The series centres around Maud Oldcastle, who is described as a "hilariously brusque, cantankerous, ruthless older woman".
The synopsis continues: "She is also a killer. Determined to break from a lifetime spent caring for her sister (Wilton), Maud sets out to claim a long-overdue second act, but when a suspicious young detective (Jessie) investigating a death in Maud's building starts to believe there is more to her than meets the eye, Maud is forced to reckon with her crimes, present and past."
Rebecca Holdsworth, Commissioning Editor for Drama at Channel 4 said, described the story as "deliciously dark" and "wickedly entertaining". Rebecca said: "Nina and Moses Raine's deliciously dark and witty world has drawn together a truly fantastic line-up, and we're excited for audiences to be introduced to Maud Oldcastle and the unforgettable characters surrounding her. UP TO NO GOOD promises a bold, razor sharp and wickedly entertaining series that feels undoubtedly Channel 4."
© ITVThe show is directed by Lee Haven Jones, whose credits include A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story
Meet the production team
The series, which is a Sony Pictures Television Production commissioned for Channel 4, is written by playwrights Nina Raine (Bach & Sons, Consent) and Moses Raine (Donkey Heart), who are making their debut as a writing duo for television.
The series is directed by Lee Haven Jones (A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, Y Sŵn) and developed and produced by Playground for Sony Pictures Television.
Meanwhile, executive producers are Scott Huff and Colin Callender for Playground, alongside Glenn Close, Lee Haven Jones, Nina Raine and Moses Raine.
© Focus Features/Moviestore/ShutterstockDownton Abbey's Penelope Wilton (right) also stars
How to watch Up to No Good
Filming is currently underway in London, with a release date yet to be revealed. We'd speculate that the show will arrive in late 2026 at the earliest.
