Teesside actor Lewis Cope has been cast in a new six-part TV drama adaptation of Graham Norton's novel Forever Home, set to film in Hartlepool and Northumberland. The series features a strong lineup of Northern talent and promises a mix of dark humor and family secrets. Production will bring local jobs to the North East region.
Lewis Cope, known for his roles in Emmerdale and as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, will star alongside established actors in Channel 5's upcoming adaptation of Graham Norton's best-selling book Forever Home. The Hartlepool-born performer joins a cast that includes Denise Welch from Waterloo Road, Kevin Whately from Lewis, Amy Nuttall from Downton Abbey, Douglas Henshall from Shetland, Samantha Bond from The Inheritance, Jenny Walser from Heartstopper, Shane Zaza from Big Boys, and James Baxter from Alma’s Not Normal.
Filming is scheduled to start in Northumberland and Hartlepool, supported by the North East Production Fund. The production, handled by FilmNation Entertainment and The Mediapro Studio, is developed by executive producer Kirstie Macdonald from South Shields. Notably, 65% of the crew will hail from the region, with funding from the North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority through the North East Screen Industries Partnership.
The story centers on Carol, a second wife who uncovers a long-dead body in her home's basement, shattering the tale that her husband's first wife vanished. This revelation exposes dark family secrets and questions about the couple's insistence on keeping the house. Norton described the inspiration: "In writing Forever Home, I was initially inspired by the simple idea of packing up a home later in life, and the “what if” scenarios and complexities that come with later-life relationships. The novel soon evolved into a funny, twisted, ‘dark-romp’ full of farcical scenes and it’s wonderful to see the depth and richness of Carol’s story realized as a screenplay."
Channel 5's commissioning editor Paul Testar added: "We’re delighted to partner with FilmNation and The Mediapro Studio to bring Graham Norton’s compelling novel to UK screens, supported by an outstanding cast. Working with North East Screen again to champion local filming has been a pleasure, and we can’t wait for viewers to immerse themselves in Forever Home."
