LONDON, Monday 27th November 2023: Channel 5 announced today it has greenlit new drama, The Wives (6x60’), a domestic thriller produced by Gaumont, in association with Banijay Rights for international distribution.

The Wives is a six-part mystery drama that follows the unravelling of one family in a summer that changes all their lives. Last year, four sisters-in-law and their families escaped to their Maltese holiday apartments, as they’ve done every summer for fifteen years. Sylvie was happily married, Natasha was swimming in wealth, and Beth and Annabelle were thick as thieves. But this year, as they come together again, everything is different. Sylvie’s now single and loving life, Natasha’s hiding a desperate financial situation, Beth is barely keeping her life together and Annabelle is, well... dead. 

When Annabelle’s widower Charlie arrives with a new woman in tow, Beth tries to be happy for them, but something doesn’t sit right, Charlie’s new girlfriend looks exactly like Annabelle. Beth’s plans to have a great summer are quickly scuppered by Charlie’s odd behaviour, and her suspicion that there’s more to Annabelle’s death is heightened. With lies coming to light and evidence building, the women work together and against each other to unravel the mystery and bring the culprit to justice. But with corrupt officials, drug cartels and career criminals closer to home than ever expected, have they bitten off more than they can chew?  

The Wives has been ordered for Channel 5 by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK and Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+. Executive producers for Gaumont are Jessica Connell and Alison Jackson. Produced by Margot Gavan Duffy, The Wives was written and created by Helen Black (Time S2, Life and Death in the Warehouse), Ciara Conway (Screw, Holby City) and Jamie Jackson. The series will be directed by Claire Tailyour (Phoenix Rise, Deceit) and Paulette Randall (Waterloo Road, Tin Star). Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, handles international sales for the series.

Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK comments on the upcoming series: "We are excited to join forces with the wonderful teams at Gaumont and Banijay Rights for another gripping thriller. The Wives is set to bring layers of mystery and intrigue which is guaranteed to keep the Channel 5 audience guessing." 

Jessica Connell, Executive Producer, Gaumont adds: “We're excited to partner with Channel 5 and Banijay Rights again on this brilliant piece. Helen Black is a creative powerhouse and she has written a set of brilliantly messy, complex, witty women who we can't wait to see come to life on screen.”

Leila Hobday, VP Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, adds: “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Gaumont and Channel 5 following our recent successful partnership on For Her Sins. It’s great to see another commercial scripted series being taken out to the international market and we are in no doubt The Wives will resonate strongly with viewers worldwide.” 

A compulsive drama, full of guilty pleasures, The Wives will begin filming in Malta early next year and is set to air later in 2024. Casting details will be announced in the coming months.