Channel 5 is quietly releasing the tense psychological thriller Cape Wrath, originally titled Meadowlands, nearly two decades after it first aired on Channel 4 in 2007. The series, which consists of a single season, features a star-studded cast including David Morrissey, Lucy Cohu, Felicity Jones, and a young Tom Hardy.
Plot and Premise
The story follows the Brogan family as they enter witness protection and relocate to the seemingly idyllic suburban community of Meadowlands. However, beneath the calm exterior lies a web of secrets, paranoia, and danger, as their past refuses to stay buried. A synopsis for the series reads: "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
David Morrissey, known for The Walking Dead and Sherwood, plays Danny Brogan, while Lucy Cohu, star of COBRA, portrays Evelyn Brogan. Tom Hardy appears as Jack Donnelly, years before his breakout roles in Venom, Inception, Locke, The Dark Knight Rises, and Mad Max: Fury Road. Other cast members include Coronation Street's Tristan Gemmill, Casualty’s Melanie Hill, Death in Paradise’s Don Gilet, Blue Lights’ Sian Brooke, and The Wire’s Clarke Peters.
The series was filmed in Kent, with Liberty Square at Kings Hill doubling as the local town centre, and The Kings Hill Golf Course used for scenic exterior shots. Wye College and the exterior of Maidstone Leisure Centre also feature prominently.
Reception and Comparisons
Upon its original release in 2007, Meadowlands received mixed reviews, with many praising its intriguing and addictive nature but noting that it failed to tie up all loose ends. American audiences compared it to the cult classic Twin Peaks. One fan wrote: "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 added: "Twin Peaks' son and Desperate Housewives' cooler, darker brother!"
Availability
All episodes of Cape Wrath will be available to stream on Channel 5's on-demand service, My5, from Thursday, July 2.
