5 has announced An Impossible Way to Die, a new six-part thriller led by Sharon Rooney and Emmett J. Scanlan. Set to air on 5 in 2027, the original drama is described as a character-driven crime thriller about identity, protection, power and corruption. Produced by Clapperboard Studios, whose recent credits include The Game, Girl Taken and Cooper & Fry, the series is currently filming.
Rooney, best known for My Mad Fat Diary and Daddy Issues, stars as DS Katie Salter, a detective whose quiet local policing life is upended when she is pulled into a mysterious murder investigation. The case begins with four people sitting around a table, seemingly set for a dinner party, except all of them are dead. The only clue is a scorpion crawling out of one victim’s mouth.
What makes Salter interesting is that she is not the familiar damaged and tormented TV detective. Grounded and committed to her family, she gives the series a slightly different route into crime drama. Tensions quickly surface when she is partnered with DI Niall Conway, played by Scanlan, whose all-consuming dedication to the case clashes with Salter’s measured approach.
At first, the two detectives appear fundamentally incompatible, but as the investigation deepens and the pressure builds, Conway begins to recognise the value of Salter’s empathy and instinctive understanding of people. As the case becomes increasingly impossible, secrets are unearthed, conspiracies begin to emerge and the detectives are forced to connect seemingly separate crimes before the killer strikes again.
The confirmed cast also includes Lois Chimimba (Coldwater, Vigil), Jonny Lavelle (Down Cemetery Road, Black Mirror) and Ashley McGuire (This Country, This Is Going To Hurt).
Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer at 5, said: “An Impossible Way to Die is exactly the kind of distinctive, compelling drama we want to bring to 5 audiences. Casting Sharon Rooney as a detective was the genesis of this thriller, and she brings something fresh and compelling to DS Katie Salter. With its brilliant premise, bold take on the detective genre, fantastic cast and Clapperboard’s flair for character-driven drama, we’re hugely excited to see the series come to life.”
Mike Benson, managing director of Clapperboard Studios, added that the company is “delighted” to be working again with Rooney and Scanlan, describing the scripts as “gripping, witty and insidious.” He also said the team cannot wait to introduce viewers to DS Salter, a detective who avoids “all the tropes we’ve seen in television detectives down the years.”
An Impossible Way to Die was commissioned for 5 by Cardwell and is executive produced by Benson and Myf Hopkins for Clapperboard Studios, with DCD Rights handling international distribution. Amber Howorth produces, while Adam Wimpenny joins as director. The writing team includes newcomers Robin Ganderton and Rowena Johnson, who have written Episodes 1 and 5, Ciara Conway, who has written Episodes 2 and 6, Jillian Mannion, who has written Episode 3, and David Persiva, who has written Episode 4.
For CultureCues, this is a UK thriller announcement worth paying attention to. Sharon Rooney leading a detective drama is a massive yes from us. We will always show up for a brilliant Scottish talent getting a role this juicy, especially when the series is actively trying to avoid the usual tortured detective formula. Add Emmett J. Scanlan into the mix and a murder case involving a scorpion, and An Impossible Way to Die is firmly on our 2027 watchlist.
An Impossible Way to Die is currently filming and is expected to air on 5 in 2027.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.