Channel 5 has greenlit a new four-part thriller Coma (4×60” / w/t) starring Jason Watkins (The Catch, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, W1A).
It is produced by Roughcut Television and CBS Studios, with Paramount Global Content Distribution handling distribution.
In Coma (w/t), Simon (Jason Watkins), a devoted family man, finds himself at a breaking point as his neighbourhood falls victim to the terrorising antics of a group of teenagers, led by the menacing 17-year-old Jordan Franklin, played by rising star Joe Barber, and his questionable companions. Simon and his wife, Beth, played by Claire Skinner (Outnumbered, McDonalds & Dodds, Murder they Hope), are desperate to move their young daughter to a safer area away from the threatening atmosphere. When Simon’s frustration reaches its peak and he confronts Jordan outside his own home, a split-second decision changes everything.
Coma (w/t) has been ordered for Channel 5 by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+. Written and created by Ben Edwards (Miss Scarlett And The Duke, The Good Karma Hospital, Stella), the executive producers for Roughcut Television are Creative Director Alex Smith, Head of Drama Marianna Abbotts and Chief Executive Ash Atalla. The director is Michael Samuels (Close To Me, Any Human Heart, The Man In The Orange Shirt).
Further cast confirmed to feature are David Bradley (After Life, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones) as Simon’s quiet grumpy neighbour Harry, Jonas Armstrong(The Drowning, The Bay, Edge of Tomorrow) as Jordan’s dangerous father Paul, Kayla Meikle (Time 2, Litvinenko, Small Axe) as determined DS Kelly, and David Mumeni (Dead Pixels, Stath Lets Flats, No Return) as Simon’s untrustworthy boss Jimmy.
Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5 and Paramount+, said: “Coma is a provocative thriller that asks the audience: What would I do? It’s the story of a good man who does one bad thing that causes his life to spiral out of control. We are excited to be working with Roughcut and CBS Studios to bring this intense and gripping tale to Channel 5 viewers and are thrilled to have the fantastic Jason Watkins leading the cast.”
Alex Smith, Executive Producer, Roughcut Television adds: “We’re so excited to launch our new drama slate with Coma, a truly gripping domestic thriller, following Simon – a normal guy next door, swallowed up by the fall-out from one moment of madness.”
Lindsey Martin, Senior Vice President, International Co-Productions & Development, CBS Studios: “Coma is a propulsive and universal series that will undoubtedly resonate with viewers globally. We are thrilled to collaborate with Channel 5 and Roughcut Television and can’t wait to see Jason Watkins and the brilliant cast bring this riveting story to life on screen.”
Coma began filming in October and is set to air on Channel 5 in 2024.
Jon Creamer
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