ITV commissions gripping new drama by Manchester screenwriter and producer

ITV has announced that new four-part drama No Return will be written by Manchester screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst.

Filming in 2021, it will be also produced by Manchester based executive producer, Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee (The Stranger, Safe). 

The contemporary drama focuses upon an idyllic family holiday to Turkey which turns into a living nightmare for Kathy, played by Sheridan Smith, and her husband Martin when they are left desperately fighting for their 16 year old son’s freedom after he’s accused of a serious crime.

Looking forward to an all-inclusive luxury break to enjoy the sun and sea with the family, Kathy and Martin, their son Noah and younger daughter Jess are blissfully unaware of the horrific ordeal about to unfold. 

The holiday is a chance to unwind and for Kathy and Martin to spend some much-needed family time. Until unsuspecting Noah accepts a seemingly innocent invitation to a beach party from a fellow holidaymaker, Rosie, who is staying at the same hotel, and Kathy and Martin’s world spectacularly falls apart.

An arrest, an expensive and alien legal system, looming media coverage and resistance from fellow holidaymakers to come to their aid leaves the distraught parents fighting for Noah’s freedom when ironically he should be at school sitting his latest exams. 

With themes of parental love, guilt, grievances, and the issues around consent for teenagers, No Return has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama Polly Hill.

Danny Brocklehurst is the critically acclaimed screenwriter known for Shameless, Clocking Off, Harlan Coben’s The Stranger and most recently Brassic.

“No Return is truly a passion project for me,” said Danny.

“It’s the story of a family caught in a modern nightmare but it allows us to explore themes of parenthood, justice, addiction and consent.

“I am delighted to be working with the amazing Sheridan Smith and once again partnering with ITV, and the brilliant Nicola Shindler and Hannah Quinn.”

Nicola Shindler is an award winning executive producer and founder of Red Production Company, a Studiocanal company, known for producing ground-breaking and critically acclaimed British dramas including Clocking Off, Linda Green, Last Tango in Halifax, Scott & Bailey, Happy Valley, Prey, Trust Me and Years and Years.

“I am really pleased to be working on another powerful script from Danny Brocklehurst that combines an exciting, thrilling storyline with characters an audience will recognise in extremely challenging circumstances,” said Nicola.

“I’m such a big fan of Danny Brocklehurst and Red Production, they make incredible dramas,” said Sheridan Smith.

“I was thrilled to be asked to play Kathy in this exciting production and to be at ITV again.

“Can’t wait to start filming on this thrilling, complex story about family finding their way through a terrifying situation.”