Gabrielle Creevy and Callum Scott Howells to lead Channel 4's new romantic thriller The Night They Vanished

Full of dark secrets, it's a love story laced with menace.

Channel 4 has announced The Night They Vanished, a new six-part romantic thriller which promises to lure viewers into a world where nothing is what it seems, and trust is a dangerous game.

Written by Angharad Elen and Hannah Daniel, The Night They Vanished is based on Vanessa Savage’s novel of the same name. It weaves together dark secrets, a love story laced with menace, and a chilling countdown to catastrophe.

At the centre of the mystery is Anna, played by Gabrielle Creevy. Spiky, funny and fiercely protective of the life she’s built in Cardiff far away from home, Anna’s world is blown apart when she discovers her childhood house listed on a true‑crime website as the scene of her family’s future deaths.

Intriguing blind date Cai, played by Callum Scott Howells, runs the true-crime site. Cai swears he didn’t post it. The police say it’s a hoax. But Anna’s family have vanished. And the clock is ticking.

In a race against time, Anna is forced to return to her hometown, a windswept remote coastal village in South Wales, where her past resurfaces in the most terrifying way imaginable.

As filming begins in Wales, Gabrielle Creevy said "Anna is a firecracker - sharp, loyal and carrying more hurt than she lets on. The moment her past comes roaring back, she’s forced into a nightmare she thought she’d escaped. It’s a gift of a role and I can’t wait for audiences to unravel the truth with her."

To which Callum Scott Howells added "Cai is charming, complicated and never quite what he seems. He could be the love of Anna’s life… or the centre of a terrifying conspiracy. Playing someone who keeps you guessing is exactly the kind of challenge I love."

Starring alongside them will be Tamzin Outhwaite as Anna's stepmum Jo and Steffan Rhodri as Anna's father Idris, a man who may hold the key to everything.

Additional cast includes Matthew Gravelle, Lisa Victoria, Jack Quick, Andrew Lennon, Callum Hymers and Bella Shewan.

Speaking about The Night They Vanished, writer Angharad Elen said "It has been a real pleasure to bring Vanessa Savage’s thrilling and atmospheric world to life. The series has everything you want from a great thriller – compelling female characters, a gripping and unpredictable story, and a phenomenal cast who bring it all vividly to life."

"As a Welsh writer, I’m particularly proud to see the series set and filmed on my home turf. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the extraordinary creative talent we have in Wales, both in front of and behind the camera."

To which Deborah Sathe, CCO of CliffEdge Entertainment, added "Sarah Creasey and I read Vanessa Savage’s book in one sitting and knew it would make thrilling television. The cast and crew are pulling out all the stops to bring this to life for Channel 4. We believe the audience are in for a real treat!"

And Felix Jones, Acquisitions Manager at Channel 4, said "We’re thrilled to be partnering with BBC Studios to bring Vanessa Savage’s compelling premise to screen. Angharad Elen and Hannah Daniel’s propulsive scripts are packed with twists and turns, and we can’t wait to see how our talented multi-generational cast keep our viewers guessing to the very end."

Made by CliffEdge Entertainment, part of BBC Studios, in association with Channel 4, The Night They Vanished is written by Angharad Elen and Hannah Daniel, produced by Sian Elen John, directed by Geraint Todd and executive produced by Sarah Creasey, Deborah Sathe, Angharad Elen, and Branwen Williams for BBC Studios.

The series has the support of the Welsh Government via Creative Wales.

The Night They Vanished will air on Channel 4