Sheridan Smith is currently starring in the brand new ITV drama, No Return.
The four-part series, which has been written by BAFTA winning writer, Danny Brocklehurst, tells the story of a family who jet off to Turkey for a holiday of sun, sea and sand. But it’s not long before a horrific and unexpected ordeal unfolds, calling a quick end to this relaxing family holiday.
The drama will explore the themes of parental love, guilt, grievances and the issues around consent for teenagers.
Sheridan told us she was desperate to play mum, Kathy Powell, in which her 16-year-old son Noah is accused of sexual assault against another boy while the family are holidaying in Turkey.
“I read all four episodes back-to-back without pausing. I was gripped – I had to know what happened. It gave me that jelly belly feeling of ‘What would you do in that situation?’ Kathy and her husband Martin are just ordinary people in an extraordinary situation and I’ve never been to a read-through like the one for this. It was so powerful. I mean, I cried all the way through. Kathy is an amazing lead role. She’s fiercely loyal and fiercely protective and someone I could relate to. I’ve not had such an intense role ever.”
Having had her son, Billy, in 2020, made this role all the more easier for Sheridan to play.
“You can act being a mum but there’s something very different when you are a parent yourself with a child of your own. All I kept thinking of was Billy. I didn’t have to act too much in the crying scenes because you just imagine this mother going through this hell and are thinking ‘if it was my little boy’.
ITV really have been delivering some TV gold this year, most recently with Angela Black starring Joanne Froggatt and the return of our beloved Vera, so we were thrilled to hear the announcement about No Return.
Here’s everything you need to know about the emotional drama, including the plot, the cast and how you can watch it.
What is No Return about?
No Return follows a family of four - mum Kathy (played by Sheridan), dad Martin, their son Noah and their younger daughter Jessica - as they jet off to Turkey for a relaxing family holiday.
Kathy and Martin are looking forward to some much-needed time together and it’s a chance for the family to completely unwind. But when their son Noah accepts a seemingly innocent invite to a beach party from a girl who is also staying at the hotel, the aftermath sees Kathy and Martin’s worlds turned upside down as they desperately try to fight for their son’s freedom after he is accused of sexually assaulting another boy.
With an expensive and alien legal system and looming media coverage, the question is, will Kathy and Martin be able to save their son?
Who are the cast in No Return?
BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith plays mum Kathy, who is fighting alongside her husband, Martin, to free her 16-year-old son. The acclaimed actress has been the star of many TV dramas, including Cilla, Mrs Biggs, The C Word and The Moorside.
Joining as her on-screen husband is award winning actor Michael Jibson (Quiz), who will play husband and father, Martin. While rising star Louis Ashbourne Serkis (who is the son of Lord Of The Rings' Andy Serkis) and newcomer Lily Sutcliffe will play their children, Noah and Jessica.
Sian Brooke, who is known for playing Eurus Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock, will also join the cast as Kathy’s sister.
When will No Return be on TV?
No Return aired on Monday February 7 at 9pm on ITV. All four episodes are also available immediately on ITV Hub and BritBox.
Is there a No Return trailer?
There is indeed! You can watch this below.