The Au Pair sees Sir David Suchet make a return to our TV screens in a new Channel 5 drama.
The Poirot legend, whose most recent credits are His Dark Materials and Press, is teaming up with Beyond Paradise's Sally Bretton and Vera's Kenny Doughty. The four-part series is about a woman who seems to have it all until everything changes when she hires a mysterious young French au pair. It's billed as a "compelling series" that "delves deep into the complexities of family, trust and hidden truths amidst the backdrop of the picturesque countryside".
Talking about why she took the part of the central character Zoe, Sally says to us: "I think I took it on because I hadn't done anything like that before — a melodrama — and the opportunity to take on something so different was really exciting. Everything I had done for years had been comedy, which was wonderful. And then I did Beyond Paradise, which touches on some drama and some sensitive issues. But this was a real dash at something very dramatic and I couldn't resist it. Normally there's much more lightness in my life though!"
Here's everything we know about the suspenseful drama set in England…
The Au Pair release date
The Au Pair started on Channel 5 on Monday, March 10 at 9 pm. The second episode is the next day, Tuesday, March 11 at 9 pm. The third episode is on Wednesday, March 12 at 9 pm. The final episode is on Thursday, March 12 at 9 pm (see our TV Guide for full listings).
All four episodes are now available on Channel 5's streaming service which was called My5 and is now just called 5.
We don't have a US release date currently.
The Au Pair cast
Sally Bretton, of Not Going Out, Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise fame, is leading the cast as mother-of-two Zoe Dalton. David Suchet plays her father George. Vera's Kenny Doughty plays Zoe’s husband Chris. Lupin's Ludmilla Makowski is Sandrine, the "beguiling young French woman", who Zoe hires as an au pair.
Plot
Zoe is a woman who appears to have everything: a handsome and successful husband, two adorable stepchildren and a stunning home in a beautiful English town. But, you guessed it, everything is about to go wrong for Zoe. Yes, Zoe makes the unwise decision to hire Sandrine as an au pair. She's described as a young French woman who "triggers an unsettling shift in the household, as instincts and suspicions arise, hinting at hidden agendas and long-concealed truths".
The makers also hint that not everything is as it seems in Zoe's marriage. And that the couple are facing marital issues, while Zoe's dad George moving in next door further complicates life. The series is written by Michael Foott (Desperate Measures) and Andy Bayliss (The Good Ship Murder).
Sally says: "Audiences will enjoy being in on Sandrine's true intentions while Zoe remains completely unaware. That sense of dramatic irony adds an extra layer of tension and intrigue. But above all, I hope audiences are entertained! I want them to be completely gripped by the story, invested in the characters, and taken along for all the twists and turns."
What happens in episode 1?
After a chaotic day, seamstress Zoe agrees to her husband's suggestion of bringing in an au pair to help with her elderly father and the step-children. Enter Sandrine, who is capable and composed - but as the newcomer settles in, subtle shifts in the family dynamic begin to unfold, setting off a chain of events that puts Zoe in danger.
What happens in episode 2?
Following a disturbing incident, Zoe finds herself increasingly on the outside of her own family. As doubts about her judgement grow, she throws herself into preparing a meaningful gift for her stepdaughter Amber's birthday. Meanwhile, Amber begins to question Sandrine's true intentions, setting her on a dangerous path towards the truth
What happens in episode 3?
As questions about the past come to light, Zoe embarks on a search for answers, but the more she uncovers, the more uncertain everything becomes. Sandrine, now on the run, reaches out with a desperate plea, while George moves in the shadows, guarding secrets of his own. With long-buried truths threatening to surface, Zoe faces an impossible choice.
What happens in episode 4?
As pressure mounts and hidden agendas collide, the family is thrust into a confrontation that will test their loyalties and force long-buried secrets to the surface. With trust hanging by a thread, Zoe must make a life-altering choice before it's too late.
Is there a trailer?
Yes, one has finally landed...
How many parts is The Au Pair?
The Au Pair is four parts and each episode is 60 minutes long.
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