The skies are no longer friendly in Channel 4’s electrifying new crime thriller In Flight, a six-part series that has already been dubbed “nerve-shredding” and “captivating” by critics and insiders. Premiering later in 2025, this high-octane drama, led by the award-winning Katherine Kelly (Mr Bates vs the Post Office, Happy Valley), promises to take viewers on a turbulent journey through the perilous world of international drug smuggling. Set against the fast-paced backdrop of global air travel, In Flight combines heart-pounding action with the emotional depth of a mother’s desperate fight to save her son. With a stellar cast, a noir-inspired narrative, and a creative team boasting credits from Marcella and Slow Horses, this series is poised to be one of the year’s most gripping dramas. Here’s everything you need to know about In Flight and why it’s set to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

A Mother’s Desperate Mission

In Flight centers on Jo Conran (Katherine Kelly), a single mother and flight attendant whose life spirals into chaos when she is blackmailed into smuggling drugs to secure the safety of her son, Sonny (Harry Cadby). Sonny is serving a 15-year sentence in a Bulgarian prison for a murder he insists he did not commit, and a ruthless criminal gang, led by the coercive Cormac (Stuart Martin), exploits Jo’s desperation to protect him. As described by Channel 4, Jo is thrust into “a murky underworld of corrupt cops and hired killers,” forced to carry out the gang’s orders while frantically searching for a way to free herself and her son. Her only ally is her ex, Dom Delaney (Ashley Thomas), a customs officer at a major London airport, whose involvement complicates her mission and stirs up old wounds.

The series, set across dynamic global locations including Bangkok, Bulgaria, Istanbul, and London, uses the high-pressure world of international air travel as a backdrop for a story that is equal parts suspenseful and emotionally resonant. Writers and co-creators Mike Walden (Marcella, Whitstable Pearl) and Adam Randall (Slow Horses, iBoy) describe In Flight as “our spin on the noir genre, a high stakes, stylish, romantic thriller with iconic characters and nerve-shredding action.” They add, “Jo is a character close to our hearts. She is an ordinary woman facing extraordinary odds. We can’t wait for audiences to meet her.” This premise, blending the intensity of crime drama with the personal stakes of a mother’s love, has drawn comparisons to high-concept thrillers like Hijack and Red Eye, but In Flight carves its own path with its focus on Jo’s emotional journey.

Katherine Kelly’s Star Turn

Katherine Kelly, a powerhouse known for her roles as Becky McDonald in Coronation Street, Jodie Shackleton in Happy Valley, and Angela van den Bogerd in Mr Bates vs the Post Office, leads In Flight with what promises to be a career-defining performance. Speaking about her role, Kelly expressed her enthusiasm: “I am really excited to be taking on the role of Jo and I can’t wait to tell her compelling story. I am delighted to be working with Buccaneer Media again and it’s joy to be filming in Belfast.” Her portrayal of Jo Conran, a woman caught between her professional duties and a criminal underworld, is already generating buzz, with Good Housekeeping calling the series “a nerve-shredding watch” that showcases Kelly’s ability to convey both vulnerability and steely resolve.

Kelly’s recent role in ITV’s Protection alongside Siobhan Finneran demonstrated her knack for portraying complex women in high-stakes scenarios, and In Flight builds on that strength. Early reviews and first-look images, released by Channel 4 in June 2025, show Kelly in her flight attendant uniform, exuding a mix of professionalism and barely concealed panic as Jo navigates her perilous predicament. Digital Spy praises the series as a “heart-pounding journey” for fans of Slow Horses, highlighting Kelly’s ability to anchor the show’s emotional core. As a single mother willing to risk everything, Jo is a relatable yet extraordinary protagonist, and Kelly’s performance is expected to resonate deeply with audiences.

A Stellar Ensemble and Top-Tier Creative Team

In Flight boasts a formidable cast that enhances its noir-inspired narrative. Stuart Martin (Rebel Moon, Miss Scarlet and The Duke) plays Cormac, the menacing leader of the criminal gang who coerces Jo into smuggling drugs, bringing a chilling intensity to the role. Ashley Thomas (Top Boy, Them) stars as Dom Delaney, Jo’s ex and a customs officer whose involvement adds layers of personal and professional conflict. The ensemble is rounded out by Bronagh Waugh (Ridley, The Stolen Girl) as Melanie, Harry Cadby (Dope Girls, Red Rose) as Sonny, Corinna Brown (Heartstopper) as Kayla, and Ambreen Razia (Ted Lasso, Scrapper) as Zara, each bringing depth to the series’ intricate web of relationships.

The series is produced by Buccaneer Media, known for Marcella, Crime, and The Burning Girls, and directed by Chris Baugh (Wreck, Tin Star), whose experience with taut, atmospheric dramas ensures a polished production. Writers Mike Walden and Adam Randall, both with pedigrees in gritty crime and espionage thrillers, infuse In Flight with a stylish edge, blending action-packed sequences with moments of raw emotional vulnerability. Executive producer Rebecca Dundon of Fremantle describes it as “a surprising, propulsive standout – a high-stakes action crime thriller that combines the intensity of international drug smuggling with the emotional depth of a mother’s relentless quest to save her son.” The production, filmed in Belfast with support from Northern Ireland Screen, has also secured international distribution, with ProSieben pre-buying for Germany, SBS for Australia, and TVNZ for New Zealand.

A Noir Thriller with a Modern Twist

In Flight stands out in the crowded crime drama landscape by merging the classic elements of noir—moral ambiguity, shadowy underworlds, and flawed protagonists—with a contemporary, high-concept premise. The series’ setting, spanning global hubs like Bangkok and Istanbul, capitalizes on the inherent tension of air travel, a trend seen in recent hits like Hijack and Nightsleeper. Telly Visions notes that “long-haul flights are suddenly full of tension and peril, and audiences can’t seem to get enough of these stories’ propulsive, high-stakes nature.” In Flight amplifies this by placing Jo, an ordinary woman, in an extraordinary situation, making her a relatable anchor for viewers navigating the chaos of her world.

The series’ noir sensibilities are evident in its stylish visuals and morally complex characters. First-look images, released in June 2025, depict a tense, shadowy aesthetic, with Jo caught in moments of high-stakes action and quiet desperation. Radio Times highlights the series’ ability to balance “nerve-shredding action” with “iconic characters,” praising its global scope and emotional depth. However, the show doesn’t shy away from the darker realities of its premise, exploring themes of corruption, sacrifice, and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child. As Channel 4’s Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions, states, “This unique crime drama will take our audience on a thrilling journey through terrifying worlds, but at the real heart of this story is just how far a parent will go to keep their child safe.”

Critical Buzz and Audience Anticipation

Though In Flight has yet to announce an official release date, the anticipation is palpable. Filming began in Belfast in November 2024, and with post-production underway, the series is expected to hit Channel 4 later in 2025. Early buzz from outlets like HELLO! and Prima has been overwhelmingly positive, with the former calling it a “high-octane” thriller that 94% of its readers, who favor the genre, will love. Collider emphasizes its potential to “take Channel 4 by storm,” citing the creative team’s pedigree and the innovative premise. On X, fans of Katherine Kelly and Slow Horses are already voicing excitement, with one user (@crimefanatic) posting, “Katherine Kelly in In Flight? Count me in! Sounds like a wild ride with that Marcella vibe.” Another (@tvbinger) wrote, “In Flight looks like it’s gonna be my new obsession. Kelly + noir + drug smuggling? Yes please!”

Some skepticism exists, particularly regarding the genre’s reliance on familiar tropes. A Leicestershire Live review notes that while Kelly is “unrecognizable” and compelling, the premise risks feeling derivative of other travel-based thrillers. However, the series’ focus on Jo’s personal stakes and the global scope of its narrative sets it apart, promising a fresh take on the noir thriller. The six-episode format, with each episode running 60 minutes, is ideal for binge-watching, though Channel 4 has not confirmed whether episodes will drop all at once or weekly, unlike the staggered release of The Feud.

Why In Flight Is a Must-Watch

In Flight is shaping up to be a standout in Channel 4’s 2025 lineup, blending the visceral thrills of a crime thriller with the emotional weight of a mother’s fight for her son. Katherine Kelly’s star power, combined with a talented ensemble and a creative team with a proven track record, ensures a series that is both stylish and substantive. Its noir-inspired narrative, set against the high-stakes world of international air travel, offers a fresh spin on the genre, while its focus on Jo Conran’s resilience makes it universally relatable. As Yours magazine puts it, “How far will she go and what risks is she willing to take? There’s no telling where this story will land.”

With its global settings, intense action, and heart-wrenching stakes, In Flight is poised to keep viewers glued to their screens. Whether you’re a fan of Kelly’s commanding performances, the gritty realism of Marcella, or the stylish espionage of Slow Horses, this series promises to deliver a turbulent, unforgettable ride. Keep an eye on Channel 4 for In Flight’s release later this year, and brace yourself for a thriller that will leave your nerves shredded and your heart racing.