Emily Atack cast in new thriller based on book described as 'addictive'

Emily Atack is poised to grace our screens in another much-anticipated adaptation of a bestselling novel, following her successful run on the Disney+ series Rivals.

The star known for her role in The Inbetweeners will act alongside Joanne Whalley and Rachel Shenton in a Channel 5 thriller that delves into the dangers of small-town rumours.

The televisual piece draws from Lesley Kara's 2018 inaugural novel The Rumour, which became a Sunday Times Bestseller and enthralled readers with its 'addictive' storyline.

Leading the line-up, Shenton takes on the role of Joanna, a young mother who becomes entangled in a dangerous rumour, reports the Mirror.

Set for a 2025 release, the official synopsis describes: "When Joanna stumbles upon an online rumour about a child killer living in the town, she uses it to win over the mums at the school gate. As gossip spreads, suspicions build, and Joanna finds herself drawn into a web of secrets and paranoia".

It goes on to outline Joanna's struggle: "Balancing her efforts to protect her son with the growing unease in town, Joanna struggles to distinguish between truth and hearsay. With relationships strained and emotions running high, the boundaries between trust and fear blur."

Shenton, who returns to Channel 5 after her acclaimed appearance in All Creatures Great and Small, a show that has earned a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes, shared her enthusiasm for her latest character, saying: "I'm really excited to play Joanna."

Describing the narrative core of The Rumour, she added: "It's a story of a woman unravelling as she relentlessly pursues the truth. She's very relatable and the cast are amazing. It's lovely to work with so many women."

The wider cast includes Doctor Who's Samuel Anderson,