The Gathering was Channel 4’s new thriller series from the producers of Line of Duty that was set on a tiny islet that became a party island. It followed the case of a student who came to harm at an illicit rave.
Newcomer Eva Morgan starred as working-class Kelly, a talented young gymnast attacked at the party. Alongside her were Boiling Point star Vinette Robinson and Ten Pound Poms star Warren Brown. Each episode followed the drama from the point of view of a different character, all of whom had a unique reason to want to hurt Kelly.
Here’s all you need to know about Channel 4 series The Gathering…
Where to watch The Gathering
The Gathering was a six-part series that went out in weekly double bills, starting on Channel 4 from Tuesday, May 14 at 9pm then Wednesday, May 15, also at 9pm.
The next episodes aired on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22 at 9pm on Channel 4. The final two episodes aired at the same time on Tuesday, May 28 and Wednesday, May 29.
All six episodes are now available to watch on the C4 streaming service.
How to watch The Gathering online and from anywhere
Is there a trailer for The Gathering?
Yes Channel 4 released a trailer for The Gathering which showed what happened after the illegal get together of youngsters. Take a look below..
The Gathering plot
The Gathering focused on a group of disparate teens and their parents and followed the events after an attack at a Merseyside beach party on accomplished gymnast Kelly (Eva Morgan), who was on route to being selected for the national team. The six-parter told the stories of the adolescents and adults in her world, many of whom came under suspicion.
Kelly, who had her hands full helping her hard-up, widowed father Paul (Warren Brown) raise two kids, was an elite gymnast, but she was putting her bright future at risk by hanging out with a gang of free runners. Meanwhile, well-to-do fellow gymnast Jess (Sadie Soverall) was put under massive pressure to succeed by her pushy mum Natalie (Vinette Robinson), and fell for Kelly’s friend Adam (Sonny Walker), a free runner and DJ with family problems of his own.
The incident at the beach party brought to light the intertwined sex lives, loyalties and rivalries of the teens on the island and questioned how they can negotiate their sense of identity and freedom under the close surveillance of their parents. But which one was responsible for the crime?
The Gathering cast — Eva Morgan on playing Kelly
Eva Morgan, 22 from Liverpool, played working-class gymnast Kelly, who was committed to her strict training schedule but found freedom in free running.
Eva told us: "Kelly is an elite gymnast who also hangs around a group of freerunners. That’s where her heart lies, and she has to balance these two different worlds and the people in them. Kelly jumps off buildings. It's a joyous thing for her, and gives her freedom and adrenaline in the best way.
"The Gathering is a lot of things! It centres around an attack on Kelly at a rave, and we then follow her storyline, as well as the storylines of the other young people and parents in the show, who are all suspects.
"Kelly’s a protector and wears her heart on her sleeve. I love that, because I’d like to say I do that to some degree as well. I find it relatable, not just because I’m from Liverpool, and I wish I had got to watch someone like Kelly when I was growing up.
"All the young people in this show are dealing with pressures and responsibilities at such a young age, which I think is reflective of young people today. Despite being only 16, at times Kelly must be a parent to her dad.
"There are a lot of worlds and themes explored in the series, including gymnastics, freerunning, and the pressures of international sport. I hope that viewers will feel like they know Kelly, and root for her!"
* Eva Morgan graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama last summer and this was her first screen role.
Warren Brown on playing Kelly's dad Paul Morgan
Warren Brown played Kelly’s hard-working dad Paul Morgan, who struggled with impulse control.
Warren told us: "The Gathering It is set and filmed in Liverpool, and after the serious incident in the first episode, it goes on to explore this world, and find out who is responsible for the attack.
"Paul is a single father who has lost his wife and the mother of his kids. He’s trying to do everything he can to make ends meet and raise two young children. He is a good and protective dad, but also a little hot-headed!
"I thought the script and characters were absolutely brilliant! You don’t have to be from Liverpool to recognise them. They are all from such different backgrounds, and all on their own journeys. They’re all flawed, and have their own struggles going on.
"The girls’ strict gymnastic regime showcases how the parents may push their agenda onto their teenagers. Questions are asked about how involved parents should be, and that treads a very fine line between being invested and wanting the best for them, and being too involved!
"The Gathering is going to appeal to a wide audience because, ultimately, wherever you are, there are kids going through similar scenarios, trying to find themselves and wanting to have fun."
* Warren Brown has previously played Raymond Mullen in the series The Responder and Sgt. Thomas McAllister in Strike Back. Warren had a long-standing role in the soap Hollyoaks, playing Andy Holt, and he’s also starred in Luther, Ten Pound Poms, Trigger Point, The Hatton Garden Job and Doctor Who.
Vinette Robinson as Natalie
Vinette Robinson played the toxic and controlling mother of Kelly’s friend and teammate Jessica (Sadie Soverall). Vinette played Janet in the sci-fi drama The Lazarus Project and Carly in Boiling Point. Vinette has also been in Six Four, A Christmas Carol, Code 404, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Waterloo Road, Doctor Who, The A Word and Sherlock.
Who else starred in The Gathering?
In The Gathering, Saltburn star Sadie Soverall played Jessica, Kelly’s friend and fellow gymnast. The cast also included Richard Coyle (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) as solicitor Jules, Sonny Walker (The Responder) as Adam, Ryan Quarmby (The Last Kingdom) as Charlie and newcomer Luca Kamleh-Chapman as Bazi.
Behind the scenes, locations filming news and more
The Gathering was from the team behind Line of Duty and was filmed in Liverpool and around Merseyside and is written by acclaimed novelist Helen Walsh (The Lemon Grove, Once Upon A Time In England) in her first original screenplay for television.
The Gathering was commissioned by Head of Drama for Channel 4, Caroline Hollick and Gwawr Lloyd, Drama Commissioning Editor, the executive producers for The Gathering were Simon Heath, Laura Cotton, Helen Walsh and Gareth Bryn. The producer was Graham Drover. Gareth Bryn directed (Episodes 1, 2, 5 and 6) with Amanda Blue also directing (Episodes 3 and 4). World Productions is part of ITV Studios who will handle international distribution.
