Channel 5 has quietly added all episodes of the psychological thriller Cape Wrath to its streaming service, 5, nearly two decades after its original broadcast. The series, originally titled Meadowlands when it premiered on Channel 4 in 2007, features an exceptional ensemble cast including David Morrissey, Lucy Cohu, Felicity Jones, and a young Tom Hardy.
Plot and Setting
Cape Wrath follows the Brogan family as they enter witness protection and settle into an apparently idyllic suburban neighbourhood. However, behind the tranquil facade lies a tangled network of deception, mistrust, and menace, while their past threatens to resurface. The synopsis for the single-season series states: "Picturesque and crime-free, Meadowlands appears to be a suburban paradise where the Brogan family can start a new life. However, they soon realise that it is not so easy to escape the past, and their haven becomes a world of paranoia and psychological intrigue with shocking surprises around every corner – especially the particularly stunning revelation that they can never leave."
Cast and Filming Locations
Tom Hardy appears as Jack Donnelly, years before his rise to stardom through films like Venom, Inception, Locke, The Dark Knight Rises, and Mad Max: Fury Road. David Morrissey, known for The Walking Dead and Sherwood, portrays Danny Brogan, while Lucy Cohu, from COBRA, plays Evelyn Brogan. Additional cast members include Tristan Gemmill (Coronation Street), Melanie Hill (Casualty), Don Gilet (Death in Paradise), Sian Brooke (Blue Lights), and Clarke Peters (The Wire). Filming took place across Kent, with Kings Hill's Liberty Square serving as the local town centre, Kings Hill Golf Course providing outdoor sequences, and Wye College and Maidstone Leisure Centre also featured.
Reception and Comparisons
Upon its 2007 release, the series garnered divided opinions, with many critics praising its compelling nature while noting unresolved plot threads. American viewers drew comparisons to the cult crime drama Twin Peaks. One enthusiast commented: "I don't want to give anything away as to what Meadowlands is about but I would best describe it as a cross between The Prisoner and Twin Peaks." Another remarked: "Twin Peaks' son and Desperate Housewives' cooler, darker brother!"
All episodes of Cape Wrath are available to stream on 5 from Thursday, July 2.
