Channel 5 has confirmed that the psychological thriller Riptide will replace Little Disasters after the latter concludes its six-episode run on Tuesday, 23rd June, 2026. The finale of Little Disasters, which originally premiered on Paramount Plus in 2025, airs at 9pm on Channel 5.
Little Disasters Finale Airs Tonight
The series follows Jess, a stay-at-home mother who appears to have a perfect life, after she brings her 10-month-old daughter to the hospital with a suspicious head injury. Her friend and on-duty paediatrician Liz, played by Jo Joyner, becomes compelled to ask difficult questions. This escalates into a legally and ethically complex thriller that reaches its conclusion tonight.
Riptide to Premiere Next Week
Launching on Monday, 29th June, and broadcast across four consecutive evenings, the Australian drama Riptide will take over the 9pm slot. The psychological thriller originally aired in 2022 and is now being shown again for viewers who may have missed it first time round.
Riptide centres on Alison, played by Jo Joyner, who relocated to Australia to embrace a fresh start with her older and wealthier husband Sean (Peter O'Brien). When he disappears after a morning surf, her world is turned upside down. Despite police assuming he drowned in a riptide, Alison suspects something far more sinister may be at play.
Cast and Reception
The synopsis continues: "With her stepson Ethan, ex-husband Michael, Sean's ex-wife Rachel, and her daughter Hannah's friend Logan all keeping secrets, her instincts might turn out to be right." Jo Joyner, known for her roles in EastEnders and Ackley Bridge, leads the cast. She is joined by Outlander actor Dave Berry, Neighbours legends Peter O'Brien and Scott Major, The Tudors' Max Brown, and Looking for Alibrandi star Pia Miranda.
Following its original 2022 broadcast, one viewer on IMDb described it as "the perfect show to curl up with." Another concurred: "I enjoy short run series and this is a good example of one done well," while a third added: "We really enjoyed the cat and mouse style thriller that this turned into. It is definitely worth a watch."
Riptide premieres on Monday, 29th June, at 9pm on Channel 5.
