WHEN Sheridan Smith is leading the cast in a brand new drama, you know it's going to be good.
The Bafta-winning actress stars in Paramount+ series The Castaways, which is set to have viewers hooked.
Who is starring in The Castaways?
Sheridan Smith as Lori Holme
Acclaimed actress Sheridan Smith takes on the role of Lori, who finds herself stranded on an island after a plane crash.
Speaking to Radio Times before filming The Castaways, she said: “I’m so excited to be working with Céline Buckens and to be part of this amazing production bringing Lucy Clarke’s best-selling novel to life.”
Sheridan has enjoyed an incredible career.
Are there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to Thomas
She shot to fame in 1999 as Ralf Little's girlfriend in The Royle Family, and was later paired with him for the long-running sitcom Two Pints of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps.
For two series she played Rudi, the sister of James Corden's character Smithy in the BBC sitcom Gavin And Stacey.
But since then, she has switched to top drama and has wowed fans in Channel 5's The Teacher, BBC drama Four Lives, and ITV's No Return.
Celine Buckens as Erin Holme
Actress Celine Buckens plays Erin, who is searching for her missing sister.
Speaking about the role, she told Radio Times:: “I’m really thrilled to bring Erin to life - she’s a firecracker and the scripts bring layers and darkness to such an arresting premise.
"I hope audiences will be as hooked watching it as I was reading it.”
Fans may recognise Celine FOR roles in Netflix's Free Rein, the BBC mini-series Showtrial, and The Ex-Wife, which also streamed on Paramount+.
Brendan Cowell as Mike Brasse
Movie and TV star Brendan Cowell plays pilot Mike Brasse, who is flying the plane that crashes.
The in demand actor starred in James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water.
However, he became a household name thanks to Game of Thrones in the role of Harrag, the Ironborn sea captain allied to Thein Greyjoy, in Season 7.
All about Rachel Nickell who was murdered in front of her son Alex Hanscombe
The rest of the cast includes:
- Dominic Tighe as Daniel Elridge
- Lasarus Ratuere as Felix Vatubua
- Charlotte Vega as Amber
Where was The Castaways filmed?
Fiji
The plot centres around a plane crash that happens on the way to Fiji, so cast and crew headed there for filming.
Whilst there, leading lady Sheridan Smith revealed that each day whilst shooting the show, she had to have her large collection of tattoos covered up.
Speaking to Radio Times, the actress said: “Normally I can get away with cardigans or long-sleeve shirts, but wrecked on a tropical island…”
“I had a call three hours before anyone else,” she added.
“I couldn’t use my usual stuff to cover them up, it had to be waterproof. So three people were dabbing away every day to cover it all.
“I never regretted my tats so much – I’ll never have another one."
Greece
Greece was also used to shoot scenes for The Castaways, with the crew filming scenes in July 2023.
Sheridan revealed she was heading off to film in the country for six weeks, following her spell in the West End's Shirley Valentine - which is about a woman who runs off to a Greek island.
Sharing on Instagram, she wrote: "I'm genuinely off to Greece filming for 6 weeks.
"You couldn't write it - let's hope I find my Costas. Not the coffee!!
Whilst filming out there, Sheridan kept her fans up-to-date with how it was all going.
She revealed she had been spending time with her "new BFF", stuntman Alex Anos.
In one Instagram snap, the stunt coordinator and fight choreographer smiled as he put his head next to the actress for a selfie.
Sheridan wrote on her Instagram story: "Hanging out after stunt rehearsals with @that_stunt _dude Greece. This guy has made me look bad a**', adding a love heart and smiling face emoji .
The actress also shared pictures of the pair on her grid that she captioned: "Love filming here in Greece. With my set bff @that_stunt_dude. I was a non swimmer till we met!"
What is The Castaways about?
Based on the novel by Lucy Clarke, the story follows sisters Lori and Erin Holme, whose holiday of a lifetime swiftly turns into a nightmare.
Their island-hopping plans go awry after a major argument, resulting in Lori boarding a flight to Fiji on her own, which never arrives at its destination.
Months later, with authorities still clueless as to the fate of the passengers, Erin is shocked to be alerted that Lori's credit card has been used, which compels her to go searching for answers.
How to watch The Castaways in the UK
The Castaways will be available on the streaming site Paramount+.
The exact air date is yet to be announced, but it will be either the end of 2023 or early 2024.
You will need a Paramount+ account to watch the show.
