Channel 5 greenlights Roughcut Television and CBS Studios drama, "Coma"

Channel 5 has greenlit the new four-part drama "Coma." “'Coma' is a propulsive and universal series that will undoubtedly resonate with viewers globally," Lindsey Martin, Senior Vice President, International Co-Productions & Development, CBS Studios said. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Channel 5 and Roughcut Television and can’t wait to see Jason Watkins and the brilliant cast bring this riveting story to life on screen.”

"Coma" has been ordered for Channel 5 by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+. Written and created by Ben Edwards, the executive producers for Roughcut Television are Creative Director Alex Smith, Head of Drama Marianna Abbotts and Chief Executive Ash Atalla. The director assigned to the project is Michael Samuels. The working title began filming this month and is set to air on Channel 5 in 2024. "We’re so excited to launch our new drama slate with Coma, a truly gripping domestic thriller, following Simon - a normal guy next door, swallowed up by the fall-out from one moment of madness," Alex Smith, Executive Producer, Roughcut Television said.

The series, starring Jason Watkins, is produced by Roughcut Television and CBS Studios, with Paramount Global Content Distribution handling distribution. "We’re so excited to launch our new drama slate with Coma, a truly gripping domestic thriller, following Simon - a normal guy next door, swallowed up by the fall-out from one moment of madness," Alex Smith, Executive Producer, Roughcut Television said.

Further cast confirmed to feature are David Bradley as Simon’s quiet grumpy neighbor Harry, Jonas Armstrong as Jordan’s dangerous father Paul, Kayla Meikle as determined DS Kelly, and David Mumeni  as Simon’s untrustworthy boss Jimmy."I cannot wait to get stuck into playing Simon in Coma, this character faces an agonising situation that will keep viewers questioning their own morals," Jason Watkins also shares his excitement about the series. "I’m sure it will be a thrilling and emotionally charged experience.”

"Coma" explores the price of a single moment's lapse in judgment and the unforeseen repercussions that can cascade into a life-altering nightmare, following Simon, a devoted family man, finds himself at a breaking point as his neighborhood falls victim to the terrorising antics of a group of teenagers, led by the menacing 17-year-old Jordan Franklin, played by rising star Joe Barber, and his questionable companions. Simon and his wife, Beth, played by Claire Skinner, are desperate to move their young daughter to a safer area away from the threatening atmosphere. When Simon's frustration reaches its peak and he confronts Jordan outside his own home, a split-second decision changes everything.

"Coma is a provocative thriller that asks the audience: What would I do? It's the story of a good man who does one bad thing that causes his life to spiral out of control," Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5 and Paramount+ said. "We are excited to be working with Roughcut and CBS Studios to bring this intense and gripping tale to Channel 5 viewers and are thrilled to have the fantastic Jason Watkins leading the cast."