'All Creatures' Rachel Shenton Finds Herself in Trouble in 'The Rumour' Trailer
Rachel Shenton as Joanna in 'The Rumour'
Channel 5
One of the biggest complaints about All Creatures Great & Small is that it is very male-oriented. That's unfortunately somewhat baked into the text; the original novels are written from a man's perspective during the interwar period. Both Mrs. Hall, played by Anna Madeley, and Helen, played by Rachel Shenton, have much larger roles in the new series than they did in the original 1970s version. However, both are still sadly underused, especially Shenton, which is ironic, given that she's the cast's only Oscar winner. (Not that she has much less to do, but Madeley makes the most of every scene she's in and winds up far more memorable than the men half the time.)
That's why it is exciting news that Shenton has started to branch out and utilize her spot in All Creatures to help launch other shows that better showcase her talent. Her latest is The Rumour, part of Channel 5's new line of drama series that are released on streaming as a "box set" (the British term for binge drop) while simultaneously airing weekly on linear TV.
The series is very obviously a showcase for Shenton; she stars in it as a single mother who's just moved to a new small town, hoping to leave her troubles behind, only to discover that wherever you go, there you are. As part of the show's press release, she said, “I’m excited to play Joanna. The Rumour is a story of a woman unravelling as she relentlessly pursues the truth. She’s very relatable, and the cast is amazing. It’s lovely to work with so many women.”
Check out the trailer:
Here's the series synopsis:
Joanna moves to the quiet town of Flinstead with her young son, Alfie — a fresh start in a place that promises peace. But beneath its tranquil surface lies something more sinister. When she discovers a chilling rumour about a convicted child killer hiding in plain sight, Joanna seizes the chance to bond with the local mums by sharing it - unknowingly unleashing a wave of paranoia and suspicion.
As whispers grow louder and tensions rise, Joanna is swept into a dangerous spiral of secrets and blame. With trust eroding and fear spreading like wildfire, she begins to question not only the town's past but her own instincts. Who can she trust? And what will it cost her to find the truth? The Rumour is a gripping exploration of how fear and curiosity can take root and how a single whisper can shatter everything.
Shenton stars as Joanna, and co-stars alongside Joanne Whalley (Wolf Hall), Emily Atack (Rivals), and Samuel Anderson (Doctor Who). The supporting cast includes Ellie Haddington (Enola Holmes), Lucy Speed (Unforgotten), Liza Sadovy (Patience), Carryl Thomas (Silent Witness), Tamzin Griffin (The ABC Murders), Alex Waldmann (Scoop), and Okezie Morro (Whitstable Pearl).
Richard Clark (War of the Worlds) directed all episodes of the series with Giula Sandler (The Murders at White House Farm) as writer, and Dominic Barlow on board as producer. Sandler executive produces with Sebastian Cardwell for 5; Dixie Linder & Nick Marston for Cuba Pictures; and Rachel Gesua, Suzi McIntosh & Mike Benson for Clapperboard.
The Rumour will premiere on 5 sometime in the autumn of 2025. The series does not yet have an American distributor.
