Channel 5 has announced a gripping new six-part thriller led by MobLand and Kin star Emmett J. Scanlan. An Impossible Way to Die is currently in production and is expect to air in 2027.
Described as a "character-driven, unpredictable crime drama exploring themes of identity, protection, power and corruption", the series follows a local detective whose life is upended when she must investigate a mysterious murder.
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The synopsis for An Impossible Way to Die reads: "Four people sat around a table seemingly set for a dinner party – except they are all dead. The only clue is a scorpion crawling out of one of the victim’s mouths…"
Barbie and My Mad Fat Diary's Sharon Rooney stars as DS Katie Salter. Described as "smart, diligent and committed to her family", she is used to solving everyday crimes until a unique murder mystery lands at her door.
Salter is partnered with lead investigator DI Niall Conway (Scanlan) to try and solve the seemingly impossible case, with the pair's different approaches to their job leading to clashes between them.
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The synopsis adds: "At first, the two detectives appear fundamentally incompatible. Yet, as the investigation deepens and the pressure intensifies, Conway begins to recognise the value of Salter's empathy, optimism, and instinctive understanding of people.
"As the case grows increasingly impossible, secrets are unearthed and conspiracies emerge, lives are put at risk as the detectives race against time to connect seemingly disparate cases and unmask a killer before it’s too late."
An Impossible Way to Die also stars Lois Chimimba, Jonny Lavelle, and Ashley McGuire. The series was commissioned by 5's Deputy Chief Content Officer Sebastian Cardwell and will be executive produced by Clapperboard's Mike Benson and Myf Hopkins.
Adam Wimpenny will direct, with writers including newcomers Robin Ganderton and Rowena Johnson as well as Ciara Conway, Jillian Mannion and David Persiva.
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Speaking about the series, Sebastian Cardwell said: "An Impossible Way to Die is exactly the kind of distinctive, compelling drama we want to bring to 5 audiences.
"Casting Sharon Rooney as a detective was the genesis of this thriller, and she brings something fresh and compelling to DS Katie Salter. With its brilliant premise, bold take on the detective genre, fantastic cast and Clapperboard’s flair for character-driven drama, we’re hugely excited to see the series come to life."
Mike Benson added: "The scripts are really quite special - gripping, witty and insidious - and alongside our partners 5 and DCD we can’t wait to introduce the world to DS Salter who avoids all the tropes we’ve seen in television detectives down the years."
An Impossible Way to Die will air on 5 in 2027.
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Stephanie is a freelance news writer, who previously covered WWE and AEW for Digital Spy.
After graduating with a degree in history from Queen Mary University, London, she studied journalism at Birkbeck University.
Outside of her work at Digital Spy, she writes about pop culture, with a special focus towards Irish media and how it intersects with politics.
You can read more of her work on her Substack page.
