Chizzy Akudolu, best known for her five-year stint as consultant surgeon Mo Effanga on BBC's Holby City, is now appearing in Channel 5's gripping thriller Little Disasters as social worker Lucy Harding. The series, which premiered in June 2026, has received widespread acclaim from viewers.
Premise and Cast of Little Disasters
Based on Sarah Vaughan's bestselling novel, Little Disasters explores the interconnected lives of four friends. Their ten-year friendship is thrown into chaos when one arrives at a hospital with her infant suffering a head injury she cannot account for. When her close friend and A&E doctor, Liz (played by Jo Joyner), is compelled to contact social services, events spiral dramatically.
The ensemble cast includes EastEnders star Jo Joyner, Bridgerton's Shelley Conn, and The Office's Patrick Baladi. Akudolu portrays Lucy Harding, the social worker summoned to investigate the case.
Chizzy Akudolu's Career Highlights
Akudolu played Mo Effanga on Holby City from 2012 to 2017, making a brief return in 2018 and again for the drama's concluding episode in 2022. BBC audiences may also recall her from Beyond Paradise, where she played Reverend Kate Beccles in the 2024 Christmas special and later as a guest in the third series. She previously appeared in the original Death in Paradise in 2019 as Butterfly Brown.
Viewer Reception
Since its release, Little Disasters has garnered positive reactions. One viewer remarked: "I remember watching this ages ago - it was very good." Another wrote: "Just finished binge watching this last night. Absolutely brilliant cast! Grabbed your attention from the very 1st episode + you were gripped!" A third commented: "Watching now it's so good."
Little Disasters is available to stream on My 5.
