ITV has announced a new six-part space thriller titled First Woman, centred on a woman who goes missing during a Moon mission. The series, described as a bold and propulsive drama, features Ashley Walters and Andrea Riseborough in leading roles.
Plot Overview
The story follows Ben Reith, played by Walters, who wakes up one day to discover that his wife Claire (Riseborough) has vanished. Claire is an astronaut crewing the UK’s first moonbase, and her disappearance becomes a global news story. According to ITV’s synopsis, Claire is the first woman to set foot on the moon, a biologist involved in a groundbreaking research project. Her disappearance casts suspicion on her fellow astronauts and China’s rival base. With hundreds of thousands of miles between them, Ben must uncover the truth behind his wife’s disappearance.
Cast and Crew Reactions
Ashley Walters, known for his role as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in Adolescence, expressed his excitement: “What an honour to be a part of such a bold and propulsive drama with a team of people that I have dreamt of working with. I always want to be a part of projects that make us converse and think outside the box. This one does just that.”
Andrea Riseborough, who plays the missing astronaut, shared her childhood fascination with space: “As a kid, I dreamed, perhaps more than anything, of space. Of emptiness and stars, and the vastness of all that those ‘grounded’ reflected on in verse. This will be endlessly compelling - I hope - for all who want to journey with us. I cannot wait.”
Production Details
Filming for First Woman has commenced in Belfast. The series is co-produced by Mammoth Screen (part of ITV Studios), Alcon Television Group, and ZDF Germany. ITV’s director of drama, Polly Hill, remarked: “I wanted ITV to make this the moment I read it. The team that has come on board on and off screen is incredible, and a testament to the wonderful and original scripts. Viewers will be taken on an incredible journey.”
Creator Lydia Yeoman added: “Set in the exciting (and as-yet-unexplored) world of private space travel, First Woman is a thriller unlike anything else we’ve seen. This is the story of a marriage put through the ultimate test. It’s rare that you get given the opportunity to tell a story with such ambition and scope, and we’re eternally grateful to Polly at ITV and Alcon for allowing us to do that.”
