Keeley Hawes & Paapa Essiedu To Star In New Forbidden Romance Drama

Jack Thorne has been in the spotlight recently for creating and writing Adolescence, the explosive and unprecedentedly impactful Netflix drama centring on a schoolboy accused of murder. His next project, however, is a little different – and it’s his first ever romance.

First announced in April 2025 when filming commenced in Wales and Bristol, starring television mainstay Keeley Hawes opposite Paapa Essiedu hot off his professor Snape casting, here’s everything we know so far about Falling – plus when we will get to see it.

Channel 4’s Falling: Plot, Cast, Release Date & More

Anna (Keeley Hawes) and David (Paapa Essiedu) in Falling. (Channel 4)

What Is Falling About?

We all know romance is found in the most unexpected places. But what about a convent?

Falling centres on devoted nun Anna (Keeley Hawes) who, when she is introduced to visiting priest David (Paapa Essiedu), finds herself spellbound. Both are committed to their work in the church and in their community, and neither expected to ever fall in love. As Anna says to David in the trailer, ‘I have never felt the way that you make me feel.’

Not only are they ideologically committed, but both have made vows to the church. So when Anna decides to renounce her habit and leave the convent, it challenges the entirety of her relationship with God.

Her decision to lead a normal life also sends David into a tailspin, and the priest is forced to grapple with the feelings Anna has sparked inside of him.

Watch the trailer below for a taste of the action.

‘I never thought I’d write a love story, but I am very excited to be making one with the brilliant Peter Hoar,’ Thorne said when Falling was announced back in April 2025. ‘We feel so lucky we have persuaded the mighty (and lovely) Keeley Hawes, the brilliant (and also lovely) Paapa Essiedu and the most amazing company of (lovely) actors to come make this with us, The Forge and Channel 4.’

Peter (JASON WATKINS) & Francesca (NIAMH CUSACK) in Falling. (Channel 4)

Who Will Star?

Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu lead the cast as Anna and David, and they’ll be joined by a cast of familiar faces included Rakie Ayola, Jason Watkins, Niamh Cusack and Adrian Scarborough.

Best known for her leading roles in Ashes to Ashes, Line of Duty and Bodyguard, Hawes was most recently seen in two contrasting roles: Prime Video’s The Assassin as a mother with deadly secrets, and the BBC’s costume drama Miss Austen, starring as Jane Austen’s older sister Cassandra. ‘I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Anna and so looking forward to working alongside the brilliant Paapa Essiedu to bring Jack Thorne’s beautiful scripts to life,’ Hawes said when the series was announced.

Her co-lead, Essiedu, rose to fame as the RSC’s first Black Hamlet in 2016, and has since starred in everything from I May Destroy You to Gangs of London, Black Mirror and Black Doves. He was recently cast as Severus Snape in HBO’s TV reboot of Harry Potter. ‘Falling is a story that has Jack Thorne’s singular talent of mining the sublime out of the ordinary running all the way through,’ Essiedu says. ‘I can’t wait to work with Keeley, Peter and the rest of the team to bring this world to life.’

Francis (ADRIAN SCARBOROUGH) & David (PAAPA ESSIEDU) in Falling. (Channel 4)

The full cast we know is as follows:

• Keeley Hawes as Anna
• Paapa Essiedu as David
• Jason Watkins as Peter
• Niamh Cusack as Francesca
• Rakie Ayola as Muriel
• David Dawson as Phil
• Adrian Scarborough as Francis
• Susan Brown
• Sandra Voe
• Holly Rhys
• Shayde Sinclair

Muriel (RAKIE AYOLA) in Falling. (Channel 4)

Release Date

We are told Falling will air soon on Channel 4, but no specific date just yet. The series will be made up of six one-hour-long episodes.