The four-part drama, written by Danny Brocklehurst, focuses on a dream holiday which turns into a nightmare.
With themes of parental love, guilt, grievances, and the issues around consent for teenagers, the contemporary drama focuses upon an idyllic family holiday to Turkey which turns into a living nightmare for Kathy, played by Sheridan Smith, and her husband Martin when they are left desperately fighting for their 16 year old son’s freedom after he’s accused of a serious crime.
Looking forward to an all-inclusive luxury break to enjoy the sun and sea with the family, Kathy and Martin, their son Noah and younger daughter Jess are blissfully unaware of the horrific ordeal about to unfold.
The holiday is a chance to unwind and for Kathy and Martin to spend some much-needed family time. Until unsuspecting Noah accepts a seemingly innocent invitation to a beach party from a fellow holidaymaker, Rosie, who is staying at the same hotel, and Kathy and Martin’s world spectacularly falls apart.
An arrest, an expensive and alien legal system, looming media coverage and resistance from fellow holidaymakers to come to their aid leaves the distraught parents fighting for Noah’s freedom when ironically he should be at school sitting his latest exams.
Speaking about taking on the role of Kathy in No Return, Sheridan Smith said "I’m such a big fan of Danny Brocklehurst and Red Production, they make incredible dramas. I was thrilled to be asked to play Kathy in this exciting production and to be at ITV again. Can’t wait to start filming on this thrilling, complex story about family finding their way through a terrifying situation."
Writer, Danny Brocklehurst spoke about the project and said "No Return is truly a passion project for me. It's the story of a family caught in a modern nightmare but it allows us to explore themes of parenthood, justice, addiction and consent.I am delighted to be working with the amazing Sheridan Smith and once again partnering with ITV, and the brilliant Nicola Shindler and Hannah Quinn."
And commissioner Polly Hill added "This is a brilliant script about a family who are out of their depth, in a legal system they don’t understand, trying to save their son. Danny finds such emotional truth in the characters and their nightmare holiday, that it’s utterly compelling from start to finish. I’m delighted to be working with Danny and Nicola again, on what promises to be a very special drama for ITV."
Filming begins in Summer 2021 and will be directed by Hannah Quinn and produced by Richard Fee and Nicola Shindler who said "I am really pleased to be working on another powerful script from Danny Brocklehurst that combines an exciting, thrilling storyline with characters an audience will recognise in extremely challenging circumstances."
No Return will air on ITV