5 Announce Eleanor Tomlinson and Matthew Lewis Set to Star in Lonesome Pine’s Psychological Drama The Family Secret (w/t)

Rebecca Front, Stephen Tompkinson, Danielle Walters, Callum Woodhouse, Paula Wilcox, Denis Lawson, and Nina Wadia are also confirmed to feature in the series   

London, Tuesday 30th September 2025: 5 has today announced the exciting cast line-up for new drama The Family Secret (w/t), a 4x60 mystery series from Lonesome Pine, in association with Sphere Abacus and North East Screen.   

A commission previously announced in 5’s bumper slate earlier this year, The Family Secret (w/t) is a gripping, psychological drama that asks: what if your past isn’t what you think it is? Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day, Poldark) stars as Amanda Blakefield, whose life is a happy one with her husband, Jimmy played by Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter, All Creatures Great and Small), and their son Luke, played by newcomer James Younger. Amanda has her world shattered after she is left an enormous inheritance by a man she has neither met nor heard of before. Her life starts to disintegrate as she becomes embroiled in the world of The Worrall Family. The patriarch Martin Worrall, played by Denis Lawson (Bleak House, New Tricks), is head of a family which is bound in past secrets. As Amanda’s story leads her further and further into the Northumbrian countryside, she begins to unravel the past. And all of their lives are turned upside down.   

Further cast include Rebecca Front (The Thick of It, Lewis) as Martin’s wife Fiona, with Callum Woodhouse (All Creatures Great and Small, The Durrells) as his son Anthony. Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks, Wild At Heart) joins as farm worker Boots Maddison, Paula Wilcox (Trying, Upstart Crow) as Amanda’s mother Linda, Danielle Walters (Chewing Gum, Kill Your Friends) as Amanda’s best friend Sandy, and Nina Wadia (Eastenders, Goodness Gracious Me) as solicitor Laura.    

The series was commissioned by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 and is produced by Lonesome Pine (The Inheritance, The Feud), with funding by North East Screen and in association with Sphere Abacus who will distribute the series internationally. Lesley Douglas will Produce for Lonesome Pine, alongside Ellie Hill. Executive Producers for Sphere Abacus are Jonathan Ford and Will Stapley. Gayle Woodruffe manages the Production Fund on behalf of North East Screen. Writer Aschlin Ditta (The Feud, The Inheritance, Doc Martin) joins with Andy de Emmony (Vigil, The Feud, The Nest) on board as Director.   

On bringing this story to the 5 audience, Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 says: “The Family Secret explores the fragility of family and the ripple effects of long-buried truths, all anchored by a brilliant cast led by Eleanor Tomlinson. This is a drama that promises to keep audiences hooked from the very first minute and we’re delighted to work with Lonesome Pine again after the success of The Inheritance and The Feud.”   

The Family Secret (w/t) is filming now across the North East of England and is set to air on 5 in 2026. 

ENDS   

For more 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 Paramount, a 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 Channel 5 – including Milkshake!, its dedicated preschool brand – and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, 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 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 Lonesome Pine Productions: 

Based in the North-East of England, Lonesome Pine Productions has produced drama series ‘The Feud’ and ‘The Inheritance’ for 5, and a comedy special ‘Do Not Disturb’ for Gold (UKTV) starring Catherine Tate. Lonesome Pine’s factual wing is responsible for a number of music documentaries on some of the biggest names in music history, such as Roy Orbison (BBC), Bruce Springsteen (Channel 4), David Gilmour (BBC), Greatest Albums Live (Sky), Johnny Cash (5), Stock Aitken Waterman (5), Dolly Parton (5), and Simple Minds (Paramount+).   

About North East Screen: 

North East Screen is the screen agency for the North East. We develop and champion North East England as one of the UK’s leading film and TV production hubs where exceptional screen industry talent can live, create and work. We support all incoming productions with crew, locations and facilities shooting anywhere in the North East England through our free and invaluable Film Office. We manage the North East Production Fund on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership. The Family Secret is our 14th Production Funded project.  www.northeastscreen.org   

About Sphere Abacus: 

Sphere Abacus is the worldwide sales arm of Sphere Media, operating alongside the company’s highly successful production business.  In addition, Sphere Abacus acquires and distributes a diverse slate of premium, multi-genre programming created by exceptional third-party producers for the global content 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, Sphere Abacus 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.   Following an investment in May 2025, Sphere Abacus is a Bell Media company.   Further details: www.sphere-abacus.com