Channel 5 has officially confirmed the programme that will replace the detective drama Ellis, as the popular series prepares to air its final episode this week. The announcement comes amidst the conclusion of Ellis season 2, which has captivated audiences with its gripping Northern England crime investigations.
Ellis Season 2 Finale Details
The second season of Ellis, starring Sharon D Clarke as DCI Ellis and Andrew Gower as DS Harper, is set to conclude on Wednesday, March 18. This marks a surprisingly short run for the series, which only made its comeback last week with a total of four episodes broadcast in two parts.
The drama, filmed extensively in Northern Ireland, follows the investigative duo as they tackle complex cases across the north of England. Each episode has featured notable guest stars, including Stephen Tompkinson from DCI Banks and Wild Heart, who appears as DCI Chalmers in the final instalment.
Current Case and Final Episode
The concluding episodes focus on the Elmsly case, which began with Part One airing this week. The storyline centres on university student Abi Marshall, who was found crushed beneath fallen scaffolding in a small village, prompting Ellis and Harper's investigation.
A synopsis for Elmsly Part Two reveals: "Shock revelations surrounding Abi Marshall's death send tremors through Elmsly as Ellis and Harper push further into the case. What began as a tragedy on a stoneworks site now casts a far darker shadow, and just when the trail seems to be cooling, the discovery of a missing person breathes new urgency into the investigation."
Channel 5's Replacement Announcement
Channel 5 has now disclosed that Ellis will be succeeded in its Tuesday 9pm slot by a feature-length factual drama titled Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. This new programme is scheduled to air on Tuesday, March 24, filling the gap left by the concluded detective series.
Details of the New Drama
The replacement drama stars Martin Clunes in the role of Huw Edwards, supported by Osian Morgan, Sian Reese Williams, and Jason Hughes. Channel 5 describes the production as "a major, feature-length factual drama exploring the story of how a vulnerable 17-year-old boy was groomed by one of the most powerful figures in television - Huw Edwards."
The network further explains that the drama delves into Edwards' double life as it spiralled out of control, ultimately leading to his conviction for making indecent images of children and his complete exit from public life. Channel 5 emphasises that the programme presents an "unflinching portrait" of the scandal, based on extensive factual research conducted over the past twelve months, including exclusive first-hand interviews with individuals at the heart of the story.
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards will be a single episode lasting nearly two hours, airing from 9pm to 10:50pm on March 24. This scheduling decision represents a significant programming shift for Channel 5, moving from fictional detective narratives to a hard-hitting factual drama based on real events.
