Channel 4, Sony Pictures Television, and Playground today announce the cast joining Glenn Close in Up to No Good, an upcoming six-part drama written by Nina Raine (Bach & Sons, Consent) and Moses Raine (Donkey Heart), best known as playwrights and now making their debut as a writing duo for television. Based on Helene Tursten’s short story collections An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good and An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed, the series is directed by Lee Haven Jones (A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, Y Sŵn) and developed and produced by Playground for Sony Pictures Television. Sony Pictures Television will distribute the series globally.
As previously announced, Glenn Close leads the series as Maud Oldcastle. She is now joined by an outstanding ensemble including: Claudia Jessie (Bridgerton, Toxic Town) as Hannah, Gloria Obianyo (Andor, Anxious People) as Astrid, Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Doctor Who) as Elsa, Ben Crompton (Game Of Thrones, Lockwood & Co) as Barry, Meera Syal (The Wheel of Time, The Revenge Club) as Margaret and Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, After Life) as Charlotte.
The series follows Maud Oldcastle (Close), a hilariously brusque, cantankerous, ruthless older woman—and those are her nice qualities. She is also a killer. Determined to break from a lifetime spent caring for her sister (Wilton), Maud sets out to claim a long-overdue second act, but when a suspicious young detective (Jessie) investigating a death in Maud’s building starts to believe there is more to her than meets the eye, Maud is forced to reckon with her crimes, present and past.
Up to No Good was commissioned for Channel 4 by Gwawr Lloyd, Acting Head of Drama, and Rebecca Holdsworth, Commissioning Editor, Drama, and is a Sony Pictures Television Production. Executive producers are Scott Huff and Colin Callender for Playground, alongside Glenn Close, Lee Haven Jones, Nina Raine and Moses Raine. The series producer is Morenike Williams (Killing Eve, Culprits).
Rebecca Holdsworth, Commissioning Editor for Drama at Channel 4 said, “Nina and Moses Raine’s deliciously dark and witty world has drawn together a truly fantastic line-up, and we’re excited for audiences to be introduced to Maud Oldcastle and the unforgettable characters surrounding her. Uo to No Good promises a bold, razor sharp and wickedly entertaining series that feels undoubtedly Channel 4.”
Scott Huff, Joint Managing Director, Playground said, “We are thrilled to have brought together this extraordinary group of artists for Up to No Good. A cast of this calibre is a testament to Nina and Moses’s brilliant scripts, our casting director Robert Sterne’s exceptional taste and Glenn Close’s legendary talent. We can’t wait for audiences to see this group of actors together on screen.”
Andrew Plotkin, EVP, Drama Development at Sony Pictures Television said, “We are thrilled to have Lee Haven Jones directing the series, not only setting the tone, but immersing himself on the ground throughout production. With a standout cast joining Glenn to bring Nina and Moses’ brilliantly crafted scripts to life, their collaboration further elevates the storytelling at the heart of Up to No Good. What’s coming together is remarkable, and audiences are in for something truly special.”
Filming is currently underway in London with further cast to be revealed.
