BBC Studios has revealed the cast for its new six-part romantic thriller, The Night They Vanished, set and filmed in Wales for Channel 4. The series, adapted from Vanessa Savage's novel of the same title, draws viewers into a world where appearances deceive and trust becomes perilous.
Cast and characters
The mystery follows Anna, portrayed by Gabrielle Creevy (Amadeus, The Guest, Black Doves), who leads the series. Her character is sharp-witted, humorous and fiercely protective of the life she's established in Cardiff away from home. Anna's existence is shattered when she finds her childhood home featured on a true-crime website as the location of her family's predicted deaths.
Mysterious blind date Cai, portrayed by Callum Scott Howells (It's a Sin, Deadpoint, The Beautiful Game), operates the true-crime platform, although he insists he didn't publish it. Police dismiss it as a hoax, yet Anna's family have disappeared, and time is running out.
In a desperate race against the clock, Anna must return to her hometown - a windswept, isolated coastal village in South Wales - where her past emerges in the most frightening manner possible.
Supporting cast and production
Starring alongside Gabrielle and Callum are Tamzin Outhwaite (The Wives, Ridley Road, The Tower) as Jo, Anna's stepmother, and Steffan Rhodri (Gavin & Stacey, Death Valley, Mr Burton, Men Up) as Idris, Anna's father - a man who could be crucial to unravelling everything.
The supporting cast features Matthew Gravelle (Mudtown, Broadchurch, Keeping Faith), Lisa Victoria (Pobol y Cwm), Jack Quick (Pobol y Cwm, Tree on a Hill, Gwaith/Cartref), Andrew Lennon (Death Valley, Mammoth, Foxhollow), Callum Hymers (The Pact, Just Jim), and Bella Shewan.
The series is produced by CliffEdge Entertainment (part of BBC Studios) in partnership with Channel 4 and supported by the Welsh Government through Creative Wales. It has been written by Angharad Elen (The Light In The Hall, STAD) and Hannah Daniel (Mudtown), combining dark secrets, a menacing love story, and a sinister countdown to disaster.
Reactions and broadcast
Gabrielle Creevy says: "Anna is a firecracker - sharp, loyal and carrying more hurt than she lets on. The moment her past comes roaring back, she's forced into a nightmare she thought she'd escaped. It's a gift of a role and I can't wait for audiences to unravel the truth with her."
Callum Scott Howells added: "Cai is charming, complicated and never quite what he seems. He could be the love of Anna's life... or the centre of a terrifying conspiracy. Playing someone who keeps you guessing is exactly the kind of challenge I love."
Series co-writer, Angharad Elen says: "It has been a real pleasure to bring Vanessa Savage's thrilling and atmospheric world to life. The series has everything you want from a great thriller – compelling female characters, a gripping and unpredictable story, and an absolutely phenomenal cast who bring it all vividly to life. As a Welsh writer, I'm particularly proud to see the series set and filmed on my home turf. It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase the extraordinary creative talent we have in Wales, both in front of and behind the camera."
Deborah Sathe, CCO of CliffEdge Entertainment, says: "Sarah Creasey and I read Vanessa Savage's book in one sitting and knew it would make thrilling television. The cast and crew are pulling out all the stops to bring this to life for Channel 4. We believe the audience are in for a real treat!"
Felix Jones, acquisitions manager at Channel 4, says: "We're thrilled to be partnering with BBC Studios to bring Vanessa Savage's compelling premise to screen. Angharad Elen and Hannah Daniel's propulsive scripts are packed with twists and turns, and we can't wait to see how our talented multi-generational cast keep our viewers guessing to the very end."
The series is set to broadcast on Channel 4 across the UK, with filming already under way in Wales.
