Channel 4's 'deliciously dark' drama Up to No Good looks utterly binge-worthy

Channel 4 has released a first look at its upcoming drama, Up to No Good, starring Oscar-winning Glenn Close as a ruthless killer.

Based on Helene Tursten’s short story collections An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good and An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed, the upcoming six-part drama follows Maud Oldcastle (Close), a ruthless older woman and killer whose murderous past catches up with her.

Glenn Close in Up to No Good — Glenn Close stars as a ruthless killer in Up to No Good

I’m counting down the days until the release of this one. Not only is the story inspired by Swedish crime fiction writer Helene Tursten’s hit novel series, but the cast is led by Hollywood legend Glenn Close, who never fails to captivate audiences.

Plus, the series producer is Morenike Williams, whose previous credits include Killing Eve and Culprits, while Lee Haven Jones (The Lady, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story) takes on directing duties – so it’s safe to say viewers are in for a compelling watch!

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What is Up to No Good about?

Written by acclaimed playwrights Nina Raine (Bach & Sons, Consent) and Moses Raine (Donkey Heart), the story follows Maud Oldcastle (Close), a “hilariously brusque, cantankerous, ruthless older woman” who is also a killer.

photo of glenn close in black suit — Glenn Close plays Maud Oldcastle in the upcoming series

The synopsis continues: “Determined to break from a lifetime spent caring for her sister (Wilton), Maud sets out to claim a long-overdue second act, but when a suspicious young detective (Jessie) investigating a death in Maud’s building starts to believe there is more to her than meets the eye, Maud is forced to reckon with her crimes, present and past.”

Rebecca Holdsworth, Commissioning Editor for Drama at Channel 4 said, previously described the series as “deliciously dark” and “wickedly entertaining”. She said: “UP TO NO GOOD promises a bold, razor sharp and wickedly entertaining series that feels undoubtedly Channel 4.”

Tanya Reynolds attending the Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Picture date: Sunday April 14, 2024. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) — Tanya Reynolds has joined the cast of the drama

Who stars in Up to No Good?

Fatal Attraction actress Glenn leads a seriously impressive cast.

The newly announced stars include Downton Abbey stars Richard E. Grant and Peter Egan, as well as Tanya Reynolds (Emma and Sex Education), Mathew Baynton (Wonka and Ghosts), Iain Glen (Game of Thrones and Jack Taylor), Raphaël Acloque (The Corsican Line, Little Birds), Nadia Albina (A Thousand Blows and Bookish), Louisa Binder (Hotel Portofino), Meg Ballamy (The Crown) and Madeleine Mantock (The Long Song, Into the Badlands).

Richard E. Grant was announced as a contestant on the show — Richard E. Grant also stars in the six-part series

They join previously announced cast members Claudia Jessie (Bridgerton, Toxic Town), who plays Hannah, alongside Gloria Obianyo (Andor, Anxious People) as Astrid, Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Doctor Who) as Elsa, Ben Crompton (Game of Thrones, Lockwood & Co.) as Barry, Meera Syal (The Wheel of Time, The Revenge Club) as Margaret, and Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, After Life) as Charlotte.