Paramount+ UK reveals first look at UK original Insomnia
April 9, 2024
Paramount+ has released a first look at UK original drama series Insomnia, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by bestselling author Sarah Pinborough.
Paramount+ has also confirmed that the six-part series, produced by Left Bank in association with All3Media’s Build Your Own Films, will debut exclusively on Paramount+ in the UK on May 23rd. Global sales are handled by Sony Pictures Television.
The series features Vicky McClure (Line of Duty, Trigger Point, This Is England) for the first time as successful career woman Emma Averill. Insomnia follows Emma, who fears she might be losing her mind when her hard-won dream life starts to turn into a nightmare. A couple of weeks before her fortieth birthday, Emma stops sleeping — just as her mother had done right before she suffered a violent psychotic breakdown on the night of her own fortieth birthday. Emma’s mother always told her she’d go the same way, that she had the same “bad blood” and now Emma’s terrified it’s true. As events worsen, Emma’s world starts to unravel and she realises that only by investigating the truth of her painful past, can she find the answers to her present and prevent tragedy from striking a second time.
Also seen in the first look photo collection are Tom Cullen (The Gold), who is Emma’s loving husband Robert; Smylie Bradwell (Wisting) and India Fowler (The Nevers) who play Will and Chloe, Emma and Tom’s children; Emma’s estranged sister Phoebe (Leanne Best – Balan’s Shoes); Corinna Marlowe (Hysteria) as Emma’s mother Patricia and also Caroline, Emma’s friend and confidante (Lyndsey Marshal – Inside Man).
Additional cast for Insomnia includes Dominic Tighe (Suspicion) and Jade Harrison (Wedding Season) who will play the Averill family’s close friends Julian and Michelle Simpson, whilst Robert Gilbert (Killing Eve) is Faisal and Michelle Bonnard (Unforgotten) is D.I Hildreth.
Börkur Sigthorsson (The Midwich Cuckoos, Baptiste) directed Insomnia, and joins fellow Executive Producers Andy Harries, Jessica Burdett and Tim Bricknell. Charlotte Essex is Producer on the series. Sarah Pinborough is the writer, who has adapted her novel for screen, as well as serving as Executive Producer. The series was ordered by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, UK, Paramount.
Insomnia joins a roster of UK scripted originations launching on Paramount+, including The Flatshare, Sexy Beast and A Gentleman In Moscow.