Keeley Hawes & Paapa Essiedu To Star In New Forbidden Romance Drama

Jack Thorne has been in the spotlight recently for creating and writing Adolescence, the explosive and unprecedentedly impactful Netflix drama centring on a schoolboy accused of murder. His next project, however, is a little different – and it’s his first ever romance. Starring TV mainstay Keeley Hawes opposite Paapa Essiedu hot off his professor Snape casting, here’s everything we know so far about Falling.

Channel 4’s Falling: Plot, Cast, Release Date & More

Anna (Keeley Hawes) and David (Paapa Essiedu) in Falling. (Channel 4)

What Is Falling About?

Falling is backdropped by Catholicism. We centre on devoted nun Anna (Keeley Hawes) and priest David (Paapa Essiedu), who are both committed to their work in the church and in their community. Neither expect to fall in love – and when they do, they’re forced to grapple with what it means for them, their vows, and their relationship with God.

‘I never thought I’d write a love story, but I am very excited to be making one with the brilliant Peter Hoar,’ Thorne says on the announcement. ‘We feel so lucky we have persuaded the mighty (and lovely) Keeley Hawes, the brilliant (and also lovely) Paapa Essiedu and the most amazing company of (lovely) actors to come make this with us, The Forge and Channel 4.’

Who Will Star?

Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu lead the cast as Anna and David, and they’ll be joined by Rakie Ayola, Jason Watkins, Niamh Cusack, Adrian Scarborough, David Dawson, Susan Brown, Sandra Voe, Holly Rhys and Shayde Sinclair.

Best known for her leading roles in Ashes to Ashes, Line of Duty and Bodyguard, Hawes was most recently seen in the BBC’s costume drama Miss Austen, starring as Jane Austen’s older sister Cassandra. ‘I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Anna and so looking forward to working alongside the brilliant Paapa Essiedu to bring Jack Thorne’s beautiful scripts to life,’ Hawes says.

Her co-lead, Essiedu, rose to fame as the RSC’s first Black Hamlet in 2016, and has since starred in everything from I May Destroy You to Gangs of London, Black Mirror and Black Doves. He was recently cast as Severus Snape in HBO’s TV reboot of Harry Potter. ‘Falling is a story that has Jack Thorne’s singular talent of mining the sublime out of the ordinary running all the way through,’ Essiedu says. ‘I can’t wait to work with Keeley, Peter and the rest of the team to bring this world to life.’

Release Date

Filming is officially underway on this six-part drama, taking place in Bristol and Wales. We expect Falling will be released in late 2025 or early 2026.

Episodes will air on Channel 4.