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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Review, In Flight - buckle up for a thrilling ride
**** BETWEEN Idris Elba in Hijack, paranoia-driven Red Eye and now this new thriller from Channel 4, it is all kicking off in the skies. It is enough to make you glad the schools are going back and the holiday season in Scotland is over. No, not really, but let's go with that anyway. Created and written by Mike Walden (Marcella) and Adam Randall (Slow Horses), the six-part In Flight has a smashing pedigree and is just the kind of muscular thriller that will power you through the week - familiar but not predictable, twisty but not impenetrable. Plus, it has the good fortune to have Katherine Kelly in the lead role. The actor formerly known as Becky the barmaid from Coronation Street, among many other roles, plays Jo Conran, senior cabin crew and mother to Sonny, 19. Sonny has gone off to Sofia for a holiday and to try living with his dad for a while. But a fight in a bar leads to Sonny being charged with murder and it is mum who gets the call from the distraught teenager begging to come home. Jo goes into can-do mode, throwing herself into her son's defence and promising to get him out of Bulgaria. But with costs spiralling, money and hope are running out fast. Read More: With perfect timing, along comes a stranger with an offer that feels impossible to refuse. Unless Jo brings three kilos of heroin into the country from Istanbul, her son won't make it out of jail alive. 'It's one of your usual routes, so you won't be suspected and you won't be stopped,' she is told. It is a simple enough set-up and one Jo manages to pull off, albeit shaking with nerves as she goes through security. But with Sonny's appeal coming up it's not a case of one and done. She's now the gang's prize asset - 'People look at you and they don't see a drug mule' - and the next job is Bangkok. In Flight is a hostage drama and drug thriller rolled into one, which would be chewy enough, but Walden and Randall squeeze more out of the story. For all that Jo seems terrified, she is also coolly transactional with her 'handler', looking for any little thing that will give her an edge over him. Kelly is terrific as the mum on the edge of a breakdown. Ditto Harry Cadby as her terrified son, pathetically grateful now that he is not being beaten up every day, but not knowing why. The last time most of us saw Kelly, she was part of the UK-wide acting ensemble in Mr Bates vs the Post Office. Closer to home, she was also in The Field of Blood, the 2011-13 adaptation of Denise Mina's novel. Fun fact: the tale of a cub reporter, Paddy Meehan (Jayd Johnson) was filmed in The Herald's old offices in Albion Street. Alas, none of us was plucked out of the subbing pool for stardom.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Channel 4's ‘nerve-shredding' thriller is now available to binge
Buckle up, because Channel 4 is about to drop a 'heart-pounding' new thriller with a national treasure of a lead star. From the makers of Slow Horses, In Flight will hit screens tonight, with none other than Katherine Kelly taking the lead. The former Coronation Street actress is a failsafe when it comes to TV dramas these days, having played huge roles in The Long Shadow, Happy Valley, and the highly decorated Mr Bates vs the Post Office, to name just a few. But now, her work sees her take to the skies for a crime drama that will, quite literally, have you gasping for breath. In the series directed by Chris Baugh, Kelly plays a flight attendant named Jo Conran whose son has been arrested and locked up in Bulgaria. The teenager is sentenced to 15 years behind bars, catapulting Jo into a terrifying criminal underworld as she entangles herself with a gang that has inside knowledge of his case. As her mundane life very quickly starts to spiral, the single mother is blackmailed into drug smuggling, while her son maintains his innocence after being accused of murder. With fast-paced storytelling and a high-pressure backdrop, the six-parter is guaranteed to get your mind racing and chest tightening, as Jo goes to extremes to protect her boy, making impossible choices along the way. Speaking ahead of the show's release this evening, as shooting took place last November, Innocent actress Kelly, 45, said: 'I am really excited to be taking on the role of Jo, and I can't wait to tell her compelling story. 'I am delighted to be working with Buccaneer Media again, and it's a joy to be filming in Belfast.' And when the former soap star announced her latest role on social media and shared a preview pic of herself in character aboard the aircraft, fans were quick to express their own excitement. 'Will definitely be watching!', commented Instagram user @cheekychic_biarritz. 'I cannot wait to watch this!!!! 👏👏', wrote @rachelemmawoodington. 'Katherine is a absolutely amazing actor 👌❤️🎥 [sic]', added @superfitguy. As well as Kelly, the cast comprises historical drama star Stuart Martin as gang member Cormac, star of Netflix's Hostage, Ashley Thomas as London airport customs officer Dom, and The Fall's Bronagh Waugh as Melanie. Rising star Harry Cadby also plays Sonny, Heartstopper's Corinna Brown portrays Kayla, and Black Mirror star Ambreen Razia is Zara. As for the behind-the-camera crew, there are plenty of established names on board, assuring viewers that they are in safe hands. The series is written and co-created by Mike Walden, who worked on Marcella and Whitstable Pearl, and Adam Randall of Slow Horses and iBoy. In a teasy statement, the pair called In Flight '[their] spin on the noir genre, a high-stakes, stylish, romantic thriller with iconic characters and nerve-shredding action.' They added: 'Jo is a character close to our hearts. She is an ordinary woman facing extraordinary odds. We can't wait for audiences to meet her.' Rebecca Dundon, Executive Producer at production company Fremantle, also called the drama 'a surprising, propulsive standout—a high-stakes action crime thriller that combines the intensity of international drug smuggling with the emotional depth of a mother's relentless quest to save her son'. 'Set against the high-pressure world of global travel, this series offers a fresh, commercially powerful mix of suspense, sacrifice, and gripping drama,' she promised. 'I couldn't put the script down, and audiences everywhere will feel the same.' More Trending So, you're probably wondering when you can actually tune in… In Flight lands on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm, so you don't have long to wait. This article was originally published on July 27 2025. Watch In Flight on Channel 4 on August 12 at 9pm. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: 'Inspirational' award-winning series set to return after 12 years MORE: Celebrity SAS star sobs after revealing Channel 4 series was 'torture' MORE: Cancel your weekend plans and binge this 'creepy' supernatural drama for free
Metro
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Coronation Street's Jane Hazlegrove reveals how she responds to daily homophobia
Jane Hazlegrove's Coronation Street character Bernie Winter is getting ready to tie the knot with Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) in the ITV soap, but in real life, she is soon set to celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary. The former Casualty star fell in love with fellow actress Isobel Middleton 30 years ago, and the pair wed once same sex marriage was legalised in the UK. Soap fans will recognise Isobel as Emmerdale's DI Roberts, the detective who led the investigation into the murder of Anthony Fox earlier this year. She has also starred in Mr Bates vs the Post Office, and even had her own role on the cobbles. Though a lot of things have changed since the couple first met, Jane sadly revealed that she and Isobel still face daily homophobia – but she has the perfect way of dealing with it. 'You still meet homophobia every day, but I just smile at the homophobes and try to educate them and lead from the front,' she told The Mirror. Reflecting on her marriage, Jane gushed about her wedding day, saying: 'I love a wedding, but I never thought that I'd actually get to have my own big party, full of all the people that I love and lots of laughter. 'It was a beautiful thing and a bit of a shock. I still can't believe it and I'm so proud that we've done it and I'm so proud of my love for Isobel. It's my greatest achievement, regardless of the career.' With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! She continued: 'I just can't believe that I'm allowed to love this woman and live the life that I live without being persecuted and hounded.' Jane previously opened up about her experiences at Pride for Metro, writing about how she went from being worried about bumping into someone she knew at her first Pride event, to standing proudly atop the Coronation Street float. More Trending 'Somewhere among [the crowd] may have been a shy young woman uncertain about her sexuality, hoping that no-one she knew saw her there, but I like to think that times have changed, and mostly for the better,' Jane wrote. 'That young woman today can see role models in almost all areas of life, including LGBTQ+ actors appearing in our best loved soaps, who are able to work and be celebrated for who they are. View More » 'Of course, prejudice and injustice still remain, and our fight continues, but Pride shows us that there is strength in sharing the love and holding each other's hands.' MORE: As queer women, we couldn't be more proud of the 'Lesbian-esses' MORE: Coronation Street star thanks fans for concern after undergoing major operation MORE: Coronation Street legend confirms return with tongue in cheek swipe at the show
Metro
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Channel 4's 'nerve-shedding' thriller is to take viewers on a rollercoaster
Buckle up, because Channel 4 is about to drop a 'heart-pounding' new thriller with a national treasure of a lead star. From the makers of Slow Horses, In Flight will hit screens in a matter of weeks, with none other than Katherine Kelly taking the lead. The former Coronation Street actress is a failsafe when it comes to TV dramas these days, having played huge roles in The Long Shadow, Happy Valley, and the highly decorated Mr Bates vs the Post Office, to name just a few. But now, her work sees her take to the skies for a crime drama that will, quite literally, have you gasping for breath. In the series directed by Chris Baugh, Kelly plays a flight attendant named Jo Conran whose son has been arrested and locked up in Bulgaria. The teenager is sentenced to 15 years behind bars, catapulting Jo into a terrifying criminal underworld as she entangles herself with a gang that has inside knowledge of his case. As her mundane life very quickly starts to spiral, the single mother is blackmailed into drug smuggling, while her son maintains his innocence after being accused of murder. With fast-paced storytelling and a high-pressure backdrop, the six-parter is guaranteed to get your mind racing and chest tightening, as Jo goes to extremes to protect her boy, making impossible choices along the way. Speaking ahead of the show's summer release, as shooting took place last November, Innocent actress Kelly, 45, said: 'I am really excited to be taking on the role of Jo, and I can't wait to tell her compelling story. 'I am delighted to be working with Buccaneer Media again, and it's a joy to be filming in Belfast.' And when the former soap star announced her latest role on social media and shared a preview pic of herself in character aboard the aircraft, fans were quick to express their own excitement. 'Will definitely be watching!', commented Instagram user @cheekychic_biarritz. 'I cannot wait to watch this!!!! 👏👏', wrote @rachelemmawoodington. 'Katherine is a absolutely amazing actor 👌❤️🎥 [sic]', added @superfitguy. As well as Kelly, the cast comprises historical drama star Stuart Martin as gang member Cormac, star of Netflix's Hostage, Ashley Thomas as London airport customs officer Dom, and The Fall's Bronagh Waugh as Melanie. Rising star Harry Cadby also plays Sonny, Heartstopper's Corinna Brown portrays Kayla, and Black Mirror star Ambreen Razia is Zara. As for the behind-the-camera crew, there are plenty of established names on board, assuring viewers that they are in safe hands. The series is written and co-created by Mike Walden, who worked on Marcella and Whitstable Pearl, and Adam Randall of Slow Horses and iBoy. In a teasy statement, the pair called In Flight '[their] spin on the noir genre, a high-stakes, stylish, romantic thriller with iconic characters and nerve-shredding action.' They added: 'Jo is a character close to our hearts. She is an ordinary woman facing extraordinary odds. We can't wait for audiences to meet her.' Rebecca Dundon, Executive Producer at production company Fremantle, also called the drama 'a surprising, propulsive standout—a high-stakes action crime thriller that combines the intensity of international drug smuggling with the emotional depth of a mother's relentless quest to save her son'. More Trending 'Set against the high-pressure world of global travel, this series offers a fresh, commercially powerful mix of suspense, sacrifice, and gripping drama,' she promised. 'I couldn't put the script down, and audiences everywhere will feel the same.' So, you're probably wondering when you can actually tune in… In Flight lands on Channel 4 in early August, so while an exact date is yet to be announced, we don't have long to wait. Watch In Flight on Channel 4 next month. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Channel 4 fans can now binge 10 episodes of 'adrenaline rush' Belgian thriller MORE: Who is on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown tonight as it returns on Channel 4? MORE: Who's in the Celebrity SAS 2025 cast? Line-up confirmed including 00s pop legend
North Wales Live
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Post Office TV drama actress 'immensely proud' of campaigners
An actress who played one of the wrongly-blamed victims of the Post Office scandal has said she is "immensely proud" of the campaigners. Monica Dolan played subpostmistress Jo Hamilton, who fought for justice alongside former Llandudno subpostmaster Alan Bates and others. They were victims of the faulty Horizon computer software system which led to thousands of PO workers being falsely accused of convicted of wrongdoing. It led to some taking their own lives, being jailed or facing financial and reputational ruin. Monica starred in Mr Bates vs The Post Office alongside actor Toby Jones, who played Alan, now Sir Alan, 71. In April Sir Alan called on victims to take the Government to court over delays in financial redress. Bafta award-winning actress Ms Dolan has said she fell in love with acting as she 'just got a feeling from it that I didn't get from anywhere else'. Speaking as she appeared as the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, the Mr Bates vs the Post Office star said she first got the bug for acting at school. 'I just got a feeling from it that I didn't get from anywhere else,' she told presenter Lauren Laverne. "I think it was basically a feeling of being noticed, or being seen as people now say. I thought, 'I want more of this'.' Dolan, who won an Olivier award for her role in All About Eve along with a Bafta for Appropriate Adult, received several award nominations for Mr Bates vs the Post Office. She told Laverne how she prepared to play the real-life character of subpostmistress Jo Hamilton in the acclaimed ITV drama series based on the true story of Horizon IT scandal. 'I think you have to slightly put yourself in there,' Dolan said. 'You have to think, well if I was this person, how would I behave? I was very lucky with Jo because she was definitely more approachable than most people that I've played. 'One of the things I did very early on actually which was really helpful, which I'd definitely do again, was to ask her - if it wasn't too intrusive, and I felt with her that I could - to ask her to record her life story. Just a little version - like a 15 minute version - up to the point where the script begins - where it all starts. 'That was really useful, waiting for filming - I could listen to her voice, and I'd have her voice in my head, and also I'd have her background in my head. 'That was very useful indeed because you're kind of absorbing that person.' Dolan also said of those who campaigned for justice following the Post Office scandal: 'I was immensely proud of people, for being that collectively angry.' The actress, who said her luxury item would be a walk-in wardrobe with a cold glass of champagne and a new outfit for every day inside, said she would also like to take a book on flora and fauna on the island so she could identify what she saw. Among her desert island disc choices were her childhood favourite The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) from the TV show The Banana Splits, MacArthur Park by Richard Harris, and Us Amazonians by the 'tremendous' Kirsty MacColl.
