What To Expect From The Cuckoo
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1 month ago
This Channel 5 drama has made its way to Netflix
Back in April, Channel 5’s The Cuckoo had audiences buzzing with opinions – and now it has made its way to Netflix. Here’s everything you need to know before you tune in, plus whether we can expect a second series.
The Cuckoo: Plot, Cast, Release Date & More
Sian (Jill Halfpenny), Alice (Freya Hannan-Mills)
What Is The Cuckoo About?
The Cuckoo follows a city family – married couple Nick and Jessica, and their teenage daughter Alice – who have recently moved to the countryside. Struggling with their finances, Nick and Jessica agree to take a lodger in their spare room – and an artist named Sian answers the advertisement.
As Sian settles into her new place in the household, however, it’s clear she intends to be more than just a lodger. She begins to worm her way into the family, captivated by daughter Alice, especially, who is harbouring her own struggles due to moving schools. The show’s tagline may be ‘don’t let her in,’ but it seems to be a little late for that.
The four-part series illustrates over four unnerving hours just how tense a domestic drama can be.
Nick (Lee Ingleby), Jessica (Claire Goose)
The Cuckoo Cast
- Jill Halfpenny as Sian
- Lee Ingleby as Nick
- Claire Goose as Jessica
- Freya Hannan-Mills as Alice
- Marjorie Yates as Aunt Fay
If you recognise Sian, it might be because Jill Halfpenny is a familiar face on British TV; she’s best known for her role in the coming-of-age BBC drama series Byker Grove, but most recently has starred in Liar, Everything I Know About Love, and The Long Shadow.
Lee Ingleby, meanwhile, plays Nick – you might recognise him from Screw, Line of Duty, or The Long Shadow, too – and Claire Goose plays his wife Jessica. Goose has starred in the likes of The Bay and The Coroner, while Freya Hannan-Mills, who plays her daughter Alice, is a newcomer.
Will There Be The Cuckoo Season 2?
No news just yet on whether we can expect a second season of The Cuckoo, but season 1 was a huge success for Channel 5. When the explosive drama ended in April, fans were practically begging the channel for a renewal, and some thought the series’ fate was sealed thanks to the shocking final scene: a brunette woman bearing a resemblance to Sian – who just fell off a cliff – knocking on the family’s door. With a blurred camara shrouding the knocker’s identity, it’s not totally clear whether Sian did survive what seemed like a fatal fall. Either way, who else would be at the door, and what mystery will they bring this time?
Even if the series was supposed to end where it did (as a limited four-part drama), never say never with Channel 5: its hit 2022 series The Teacher was recently turned into an anthology with a second series following a second teacher who finds herself in bother. The Cuckoo season 2? Only time will tell…
Jessica (Claire Goose) and Alice (Freya Hannah-Mills)
Where Was The Cuckoo Filmed?
The Cuckoo was filmed in County Wicklow, Ireland in October 2023.
Where Is The Cuckoo Streaming?
The Cuckoo is now streaming on Netflix. However, if you don’t have a subscription, you can find the series on My5 for free at channel5.com. All you need to do is create an account, and you can start watching.
