Welsh thriller with "gripping and unpredictable story" confirms exciting cast with Black Doves star

The Night They Vanished, the upcoming romantic thriller being developed by BBC Studios and Channel 4, has gotten an exciting casting update. In the first announcement, it has been confirmed that a Black Doves star will lead the series.

The six-part show is based on Vanessa Savage's 2022 novel of the same name, with the plot centring on Anna. Living in Cardiff, she is immensely proud of the life that she has built, but soon gets a huge shock.

She finds that her childhood home has been listed on a true-crime website, with the listing including details of her family's future deaths. Website owner Cai claims he didn't post it, and the police say it's a hoax, but they may be wrong as Anna's family disappears.

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"In a race against time, Anna is forced to return to her hometown - a windswept remote coastal village in South Wales - where her past resurfaces in the most terrifying way imaginable," reads the logline (via Channel 4).

Written by Angharad Elen and Hannah Daniel, it has been confirmed that the roles of Anna and Cai will be played by Gabrielle Creevy and Callum Scott Howells, with the pair being known for their roles in Black Doves and It's a Sin respectively.

"Anna is a firecracker - sharp, loyal and carrying more hurt than she lets on," said Creevy. "The moment her past comes roaring back, she's forced into a nightmare she thought she'd escaped. It's a gift of a role and I can't wait for audiences to unravel the truth with her."

Howells, meanwhile, said: "Cai is charming, complicated and never quite what he seems. He could be the love of Anna's life… or the centre of a terrifying conspiracy. Playing someone who keeps you guessing is exactly the kind of challenge I love."

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"The series has everything you want from a great thriller – compelling female characters, a gripping and unpredictable story, and an absolutely phenomenal cast who bring it all vividly to life," said Elen, who praised Savage's "atmospheric world".

"As a Welsh writer, I'm particularly proud to see the series set and filmed on my home turf. It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase the extraordinary creative talent we have in Wales, both in front of and behind the camera."

The Night They Vanished has no release date.

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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.