Channel 4 has unveiled the first look at its gripping new thriller, In Flight, starring the acclaimed Katherine Kelly. The six-part series plunges viewers into the perilous world of Jo Conran, a single mother and flight attendant whose life spirals out of control after her son is imprisoned in Bulgaria for a murder he insists he did not commit.
Kelly brings depth and nuance to the role of Jo, a woman caught between the high-flying glamour of global air travel and the dark underbelly of international crime. When a ruthless gang, aware of her son's dire situation, blackmails her into smuggling drugs, Jo is forced to navigate a dangerous labyrinth of corruption, violence, and betrayal. As the stakes grow ever higher, she must find a way to protect her son and herself, even if it means confronting the most harrowing odds.
Joining Kelly is Stuart Martin, who plays Cormac, a key figure within the criminal syndicate that coerces Jo into their operations. Ashley Thomas portrays Dom Delaney, Jo’s ex-partner and a customs officer at a major London airport, who becomes an uneasy ally as Jo seeks a way out of her predicament. The ensemble also features Bronagh Waugh as Melanie, Harry Cadby as Sonny, Corinna Brown as Kayla, and Ambreen Razia as Zara, each adding layers to the tense, fast-paced narrative.
Produced by Buccaneer Media, known for acclaimed series like Marcella and The Burning Girls, In Flight is penned by writers Mike Walden and Adam Randall, who also co-created the series. Directed by Chris Baugh, whose work includes Wreck and Tin Star, the show promises a stylish, noir-inflected thriller that combines nerve-wracking action with emotional depth.
Set against the backdrop of the fast-moving, high-pressure world of international air travel, the story takes viewers on a globe-trotting journey through locations such as Bangkok, Bulgaria, Istanbul, and London. Despite these diverse settings, filming will take place primarily in Belfast, supported by funding from Northern Ireland Screen, showcasing the city’s versatility as a production hub.
Katherine Kelly expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I am really excited to be taking on the role of Jo and I can’t wait to tell her compelling story. I am delighted to be working with Buccaneer Media again and it’s joy to be filming in Belfast." Her portrayal of Jo is set to anchor the series, bringing a relatable yet extraordinary character to life.
Co-creators Walden and Randall described In Flight as their "spin on the noir genre, a high stakes, stylish, romantic thriller with iconic characters and nerve shredding action." They emphasized that Jo is "an ordinary woman facing extraordinary odds," a theme that resonates deeply throughout the series.
Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, highlighted the unique nature of the drama, noting, "This unique crime drama will take our audience on a thrilling journey through terrifying worlds, but at the real heart of this story is just how far a parent will go to keep their child safe." She expressed excitement about collaborating with Buccaneer Media to bring this intense narrative to the screen.
The production has attracted significant international interest, with broadcasters ProSieben in Germany, SBS in Australia, and TVNZ in New Zealand all pre-purchasing the series. Executive Producer Richard Tulk-Hart acknowledged the collaborative effort, saying, "At a difficult time for the industry, In Flight shows the power of bringing a number of partners together to make something happen." He thanked the international partners for recognizing the potential of the scripts early on.
Executive Producer Anna Burns described the project as a "real passion project," expressing pride in the team assembled to bring the story to life. She and her fellow executives are eager to take audiences on Jo’s "heart-pounding journey," combining suspense, sacrifice, and emotional intensity.
Rebecca Dundon, Executive Producer at Fremantle, praised the series as "a surprising, propulsive standout - a high-stakes action crime thriller that combines the intensity of international drug smuggling with the emotional depth of a mother’s relentless quest to save her son." She emphasized the fresh and commercially powerful mix of suspense and drama set against the global travel backdrop, underscoring the series’ broad appeal.
At its core, In Flight explores the lengths a parent will go to protect their child, set within a tense, stylish thriller that deftly weaves together personal stakes and criminal intrigue. With its compelling characters, international scope, and intense storytelling, the series promises to captivate audiences when it airs later this year on Channel 4 in the UK.
As the anticipation builds, viewers can look forward to a narrative that not only thrills but also resonates on a deeply human level, highlighting the resilience and desperation of a mother caught in an impossible situation. The series stands as a testament to the power of storytelling that combines heart-pounding action with emotional truth, making In Flight a must-watch drama in 2025.
