Channel 4's new six-part psychological thriller Hunting Alice Bell premieres tonight, November 11, at 9pm, featuring a star-studded cast including Alexandra Roach, Amanda Abbington and Simon Pegg. The series, inspired by a true story, follows a woman accused of being Alice Bell, the lover of a serial killer who is now living under a new identity.
Plot and Premise
As rumours spread across social media, Fran's life implodes as she becomes the target of abuse. She discovers other women accused of being Alice Bell and makes it her mission to bring them together to fight back against the mobs and clear their names. The synopsis teases: "But as they battle to prove their innocence, a proclamation from the serial killer himself, Dr Jason Nash, casts doubt over the women. What if one of the group is lying and is the real Alice Bell...?"
The series was written by comedian and screenwriter David Baddiel.
Main Cast
Fran Da Silva is played by Alexandra Roach, a 39-year-old Welsh actress known for Utopia, No Offence and two episodes of Killing Eve. Speaking about her challenging scenes, Roach said: "The scenes where Fran decides to use her voice. I don’t think she’s ever done that before, so it’s a big leap for her: speaking out, becoming the centre of this group of women and putting herself in the spotlight isn’t in Fran’s make-up, while some of the other women feel more comfortable doing it."
Julie is played by Amanda Abbington, known for Mr Selfridge and Sherlock, who also appeared in the 2023 season of Strictly Come Dancing. Vanessa is played by Emily Barber, a 35-year-old actress who has starred in Endeavour, Call the Midwife, Bridgerton and the first season of MobLand. Ros is played by Toni O’Rourke, known for The Boy That Never Was and Cold Courage. Charlotte is played by Christina Bennington, a Northern Irish theatre actress who played Raven in Bat Out of Hell: The Musical and Cortana in season two of Halo.
Supporting Roles and Guest Stars
Nick is played by Rudi Dharmalingam, a 45-year-old actor known for Hollyoaks, The Split and the Australian series Wakefield. Roach praised working with him: "I loved working with Rudi. The schedule was intense, and we were thrown together in Ireland, so we had to make it work. He was very open to working out [Fran and Nick's] relationship."
Graham Hunter is played by Ralf Little, a 46-year-old English actor, writer and former semi-professional footballer best known for The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Death in Paradise. He abandoned his studies at the University of Manchester medical school to concentrate on acting.
Serial killer Dr Jason Nash is played by Simon Pegg, a 56-year-old English actor and comedian known for Spaced and co-writing Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End. Writer Baddiel said: "The moment I loved most was when Simon Pegg came in to play Dr Jason Nash. We only had him for about four days. The first scene we shot was a flashback of Jason being interviewed by the police. Simon played it very straight and realistically. I said, 'That’s brilliant. Can you just give it an edge — more psychopath?' He did, and I got goosebumps. Suddenly there he was: Dr Jason Nash, and he was terrifying."
Guest stars include Mason Dhokia (Casualty), Aiyana Bartlett (Casualty), Shobu Kapoor (EastEnders) and Aarian Mehrabani.
Hunting Alice Bell airs on Channel 4 from November 11 at 9pm.
