Jack Thorne's 'Adolescence' Follow Up, 'Falling' Reveals Cast
Keeley Hawes as Sister Anna and Paapa Essiedu as Rev David in 'Falling'
Channel 4
The streaming upheaval that initially rocked the U.S. entertainment landscape in 2014-2015 marked the beginning of the ongoing globalization of television. However, it took a while for that tidal wave to wash ashore across the pond, where places like France literally made laws trying to prevent Netflix from existing. In the U.K., the BBC's early adoption of the iPlayer turned out to be a wise choice; it wasn't until 2024 that Netflix finally overtook the British Broadcaster in viewership.
However, while the BBC attempts to persuade Parliament to strengthen its foundations in the upcoming charter, Channel 4 and Channel 5, two U.K. networks that spent their early years as also-rans, subsisting on U.S. TV reruns, have found space to expand. Both have successfully launched their own streaming services in their home countries and are eager to create new dramas to air and stream, which the networks then license to the U.S., where multiple outlets are still scrambling for new shows; a reversal of the model the two networks followed for so many years.
Since surviving the Tory chopping block, Channel 4 has been especially aggressive, with five high-profile titles announced for 2025. Though the topline title remains A Woman of Substance, a remake of the series that initially put Channel 4 on the map, the love story Falling, written by Adolescence's Jack Thorne, is the most unusual of the projects greenlit. Set against the backdrop of the world of religious orders, it tells the tale of a nun and a priest who fall in love despite their vows.
Keeley Hawes as Sister Anna and Paapa Essiedu as Rev David in 'Falling'
Channel 4
Here's the series synopsis:
Anna, a devoted nun, and David, a Catholic priest, are both deeply committed to their work in the church and in their community. Neither is expected to fall in love. But when they do, both are forced to wrestle with what it means for them, their vows, and their relationship with God. Falling is a witty, moving, contemporary romantic drama that is as honest as it is full of heart.
Hawes (Miss Austen) stars as Sister Anna with Essiedu (The Capture) as Rev. David. The two are joined by a cast of high-profile British actors, including Jason Watkins (The Crown), Niamh Cusack (Big Mood), Adrian Scarborough (The Chelsea Detective), Susan Brown (Mr Bates vs The Post Office), David Dawson (My Policeman), Sandra Voe (Howards End), Rakie Ayola (Kaos), and TV newcomers Holly Rhys and Shayde Sinclair.
Thorne penned all six episodes of Falling, with director Peter Hoar (It’s A Sin) helming all installments and Joe Donaldson producing. Falling is executive produced by Thorne, George Ormond, and George Faber.
Falling is currently filming in Wales and Bristol and is expected to debut in 2026. No American distributor has been announced as yet.
