Note: The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct.
Channel 4's thriller The Gathering begins with a chilling flash-forward to the attack on a local schoolgirl at an illegal beach rave.
As the six-part series unfolds it is revealed the girl attacked was elite gymnast Kelly (Eva Morgan).
What to Read Next
The murky story builds to a gripping end, built around two questions: who attacked Kelly and why?
Who attacked Kelly in the Gathering?
In The Gathering finale it is revealed that Kelly was attacked by Adam's (Sonny Walker) half-brother Josh (Oliver Nelson).
Prior to that fateful night at the beach Josh had spiked her friend Jessica's (Sadie Soverall) drink. The details surrounding what happened after Jessica was drugged are unclear, however her fractured memory hints at sexual assault.
The revelation came during the beach rave when Jessica saw him lurking around an unwell Kelly.
As Kelly stumbled away from Josh, Jessica's memories began to come back in flashes and she confronted him.
She demanded he tell her the truth about what happened that night and when he denied it she called him "pathetic," and chipped away at his fragile ego with digs about his manhood.
Kelly interrupted, calling out for Josh, and when Jessica attempted to interject he silenced her with a hand over her mouth. A scuffle broke out, during which Jessica was knocked unconscious.
Kelly demanded to know what has happened, why he hurt Jessica and in the panic of it all, as Kelly rushed screaming towards Jessica, another scuffle broke out between him and Kelly.
Josh chased her towards the water and began plunging her in and out, almost drowning her. She was then found the next day, unresponsive and in a critical condition.
While Kelly survived, her gymnastics career was left uncertain owing to the injuries she sustained.
When Adam went to see Kelly in the hospital, she revealed that it was Josh who hurt her and that it was also Josh who assaulted Jessica.
A livid Adam confronted Josh, who broke down about everything, and while Josh managed to find some sympathy for his brother – whose mental health had been suffering – he told them they needed to go to the police.
Before they could leave they were interrupted by their parents, who had just recently found out about the sexual assault.
Adam was told by his step-mum that if he reported Josh he and their other brother Kyran would be thrown out. He looked to his dad, who offered no help.
Still, Adam did the right thing and went to the police, sealing Adam's fate.
All episodes of The Gathering are available to stream now on All 4.
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
