Catch 'Grantchester's Robson Green as a Villain in 'The Game' Trailer

In an era where legacy media is struggling in the face of changing technology, Channel 5 stands out as one of the few success stories among the networks that existed before streaming upended the landscape. Once a third-tier also-ran network on the U.K. dial that mostly aired older American TV series and served as a repository for non-Disney children's programming, the streaming landscape has given the network a new lease on life, with its impressive library bringing in a solid subscriber base to help fund the network's ambitions of producing and releasing it's own original drama series like The Hardacres, The Puzzle Lady, and now The Game.

Initially announced under the (clearly temporary working title) Catch You Later, the new series has everything going for it to land an American distributor. The two topline stars, Robson Green (Grantchester) and Jason Watkins (McDonalds & Dodds) who are well known to U.S. audiences, a thriller-style mystery where the actor playing the villain is going against his typical type-casting, and a snazzy, sparkling chemistry between the two leads, as evidenced in the series' trailer.

Speaking to Deadline about the series, Green explained the cat-and-mouse relationship between their two characters: "Patrick is over-friendly, and Huw feels everything is not quite what it seems. Very quickly, you realise there is a game being played, but is Patrick a stalker and is Huw on the right track or spiralling out of control psychologically?"

Here's the series synopsis:

The cat and mouse thriller tells the story of Huw Miller, a police detective still haunted by the one case that he failed to solve – a stalker who taunted his town, mercilessly toying with his victims before eventually killing them. As Huw attempts to settle into retirement, the case is never far from his mind - and when new neighbor, Patrick Harbottle, moves in and utters the chilling phrase ‘catch you later’ – the sign off the stalker used to taunt Huw during the investigation – Huw is determined he’s finally got his man. 

What follows is a high-stakes game of psychological chess between the two neighbors as Huw’s world crumbles around him. Unable to bear the guilt of the stalker taking another victim under his nose, Huw risks everything to unearth the truth. But has he set his sights on the right man, or is his obsession pushing him ever closer to the brink?

Watkins plays DI Huw Miller, while Robson Green plays (possible) stalker/serial killer Patrick Harbottle. Sunetra Sarker (Ackley Bridge) co-stars as Huw's long-suffering wife. Supporting cast includes Lewis Ian Bray (Unforgotten) and Christina Bennington (Queens of Mystery).

The series is written by Tom Grieves (Being Human), with director Toby Frow (Death in Paradise) helming all four episodes and Mick Pantaleo producing. Paul Testar executive produces with Sebastian Cardwell for Channel 5, Rachel Gesua, Suzi McIntosh & MD Mike Benson for Clapperboard, and Jonathan Ford & Will Stapley for Sphere Abacus.

The Game will premiere on Channel 5 on Monday, May 12, and will air the four episodes over consecutive nights, concluding on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The series does not yet have an American distributor, but it would not be a big surprise to see it land on BritBox or be scheduled to run four consecutive nights in the same manner over here as over there.