The BBC has a new psychological thriller adapted from an "electrifying" novel that you'll want to keep an eye out for. Here's everything you need to know about The Rapture.
The upcoming five-part series is described as "a high-stakes thriller which crackles with danger" and its plot hits many of the spots that fans of the genre will love.
The Rapture centres on forensic psychologist Gabs Fox as she meets a teenager in a psychiatric hospital called Bethany Krall, who was convicted of murder and claims she has psychic powers.
"Bethany was convicted of murdering her mother but claims she is innocent," the synopsis reads. "She is estranged from her father Leonard, who is the charismatic leader of an influential religious movement. Bethany tells Gabs that she has psychic powers and can predict the future – but what will it take for Gabs to believe her? And if Bethany didn’t kill her mother, then who did?"
In the original book, Bethany's claimed powers are an ability to predict natural disasters, though when Gabs notices a parallel between her so-called foresights and real events, the psychologist feels conflicted and faces tough choices as the lines between science and faith become blurred.
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What to Read Next
The Liz Jensen novel was published back in 2009, and received a largely positive reception from critics, with The Guardian describing it as a "page-turner" that will leave readers "horribly spooked", adding: "If there was ever a book that should be read by lots of people then this is it."
The Independent said the book "makes chilling reading" and that Jensen "writes with energy and chutzpah about the scarily possible".
Alongside promised thrills, fans should be hooked by the series' impressive cast too, which includes Doctor Who star Ruth Madeley as Gabs and Queen Charlotte's India Amarteifio as Bethany.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's Sam Hazeldine will portray Leonard, while other big names on board include Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones, Game of Thrones' Iwan Rheon, Towards Zero's Jack Farthing, and Masters of the Air's Stephen Campbell Moore.
Also part of the cast are Sex Education's Lisa Palfrey, Black Mirror's Siena Kelly, House of David's Naby Dakhil, The Pact's Richard Elis, Until I Kill You's Dean Rehman, and 28 Years Later's Robert Rhodes.
Behind the cameras, Last Christmas' Bryony Kimmings and Breaking the Mould's Rebecca Manley are on board as writers, while Domino Day's Eva Sigurđardóttir and Gentleman Jack's Jennifer Perrott are directing.
Mammoth Screen, which has worked on shows such as Code of Silence and Noughts + Crosses, is behind the series, with Betsan Morris Evans (Maternal) and Joanna Crow (Supacell) producing, and Madeley, Rebecca Durbin (Towards Zero), Tom Leggett (Code of Silence), Damien Timmer (McDonald & Dodds) and Danielle Scott Haughton (Beyond Paradise) executive producing.
"It's a total joy to lead such a powerful and vibrant series and bring the writing of Bryony Kimmings and Rebecca Manley to life," Madeley said, adding that it was an "incredibly special project" for her and that she was thrilled to be "bringing accessibility to the forefront of production".
"I’m over the moon to be getting started on this production and cannot wait to bring Bethany onto tellies," Amarteifio said. "It will be a massive challenge for me professionally, which I’m very much welcoming and feel incredibly safe to do so in the hands of Mammoth and Ruth!"
Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt added: "This thriller brings Liz Jensen’s compelling novel to life with a truly talented cast led by the brilliant Ruth Madeley and India Amarteifio. The Rapture features two complicated and captivating characters, blended with a story of climate change, to create a gripping narrative and I can’t wait for BBC viewers to see it."
The Rapture will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
