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Simon Duke

Channel 5's The Holiday cast as Jill Halfpenny takes leading role in new thriller

A new week brings another new drama, with Jill Halfpenny in the starring role as The Holiday kicks off on Channel 5.

Based on the hit novel by T.M Logan, The Holiday sees Jill, who got her big TV break over 30 years ago in Byker Grove, playing Kate, a detective who is keen to have a relaxing holiday to Malta with her family, before things go awry from the off.

Just hours after their arrival at their idyllic holiday getaway, Jill suspects that husband Sean is having an affair with one of her university friends, after finding messages on his phone from a mysterious 'CoralGirl.'

READ MORE: No Return viewers have major gripe with ITV as new drama ends

A teaser for episode 1 reads: "As Kate’s imagination runs wild over the true identity of CoralGirl and her husband’s betrayal she fails to notice that daughter Lucy is ravelled up in a mysterious situation with Jenny’s dysfunctional son, Jake.

"With the Kate’s obsession over the affair heightening, will this holiday threaten Kate’s idyllic life and how far will people go to hide secrets?"

There are few recognisable faces joining Jill in The Holiday, including stars of hit TV dramas and an actress from much buzzed about film Belfast.

The Holiday cast on Channel 5

Kate - Jill Halfpenny

Jill Halfpenny to star in murderous Channel 5 thriller The Holiday (Channel 5)

After starting her career in hit Tyneside set CBBC drama Byker Grove, Kate went onto star in Coronation Street and EastEnders, before winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2004.

She has been in the West End in Chicago and, TV wise, as well as narrating Geordie Hospital, has been in hit dramas Waterloo Road and Dark Money for the BBC and The Drowning, which gripped viewers on Channel 5 last year.

Sean - Owen McDonnell

Owen McDonnell plays Sean (Channel 5)

The man who plays Kate's mysterious husband is played by Owen, who will be familiar to viewers of ITV drama The Bay.

He has also been in BBC drama's Three Families and Killing Eve.

Jenny - Liv Mjones

Swedish actress Liv is best known for playing Ulla in folk horror film, Midsomma.

Rowan - Siobhan Hewlett

Siobhan has been in countless production on stage and on screen.

TV credits over the years include Torchwood, The Syndicate and Sherlock.

Lucy - Lara McDonnell

Lara McDonnell as Lucy in The Holiday (Channel 5)

A real rising star and one to watch in the TV and film industry at the moment, Lara recently starred alongside Jamie Dornan in critically acclaimed movie Belfast.

Izzy - Cat Simmons

Best known for playing Kezia Walker in The Bill, Cat has also appeared in BBC drama Ordinary Lies.

Alistair - Aidan McArdle

Famous for being in Mr Selfridge, Aidan's other acting credits include roles in The Fall and The trial of Christine Keeler.

Jake - Shaun O’Callaghan Wade

According to IMDB, The Holiday is young actor Sean's first major role.

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