Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure leads the cast last of a recently released thriller series that might become your next TV obsession.
Insomnia, based on the book of the same name written by Sarah Pinborough, was released in 2024 on the Paramount Plus streaming service.
The six-part psychological drama has been chosen by Channel 5 to be broadcast on mainstream TV for the very first time – a year on from its original release.
In the series, This Is England star Vicky, 42, portrays Emma Averill, a mother and full-time lawyer whose 40th birthday is just around the corner.
With everything in her life going as planned, Emma unexpectedly begins experiencing spells of sleeplessness that affect her mental health and psychological well-being.
With Emma entering middle age, she has to look deep into her past and analyse her mother’s health history to solve the mystery of her insomnia.
The series was originally dropped on Paramount Plus in May 2024, and Channel 5 began to broadcast it on Sunday night, with episode one going out at 9pm.
Episodes 2 and 3 will go out on Monday, July 7, and Tuesday, July 8, at 9pm, with the last three episodes of Insomnia all going out on Channel 5 next week.
A series synopsis teased by Channel 5 reads: ‘When a career woman’s dream life turns into a nightmare, she fears she might be losing her mind. Is she going insane like her mother did?’
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Speaking about her role to Stylist, Vicky previously said: ‘Whether you’re doing a comedy or a horror, you have to play the truth… It made me think about my own sleep patterns and how stressful broken sleep can be on your mind.
‘It’s frightening to think that having a couple of nights of sleeplessness can mess up your thought process and cause you to behave in a way you wouldn’t normally.’
On X, user @TabithaPotts said around the time of Insomnia’s original release ‘I’m really enjoying Insomnia over on Paramount – creepy and compelling.’
She continued: ‘It takes very relatable character (busy working mother with insomnia) and then pushes her further and further till she’s questioning her own sanity.’
Also on X, @ScottyHayter warned potential viewers: ‘If you don’t wish to sleep properly ever again, watch Insomnia on Paramount. Highly recommend.’
@BellHooksChild commented: ‘The program Insomnia on Paramount really shows you what happened if you don’t tackle childhood trauma.’
As well as starring Line of Duty actress Vicky, Insomnia also features memorable performances from Downton Abbey star Tom Cullen, who plays Robert, and Fear Street actress India Fowler.
Liverpudlian actress Leanne Best features as Phoebe, while Smylie Bradwell stars as Will, Corinna Marlowe plays Patricia, and US series Rome star Lyndsey Marshal plays Caroline.
Former EastEnders, Casualty, and Doctors actress Michelle Bonnard, who was recently seen in the American series House of the Dragon, plays DI Hildreth.
Later this year, fans can expect Vicky to return to their screens in the third series of Trigger Point – the crime thriller series about a bomb disposal expert.
Season 3 wrapped filming in London earlier this year and is set to hit screens this autumn, with a freshly renewed fourth series coming in 2026.
Watch Insomnia on Channel 5, Monday at 9pm.
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