Is No Return a true story? Real life events that inspired Sheridan Smith drama - and when it’s on

ITV drama No Return portrays how an idyllic sunshine holiday turns into a nightmare for one family.

The four-part series starts on Monday (7 February) with Sheridan Smith as one of the main characters.

What is it about, and is it based on real events? Here’s what you need to know.

What is it about?

The Powell family are looking forward to a break in Turkey to enjoy the sun and sea with extended family members. However, Kathy and Martin, their son Noah and younger daughter Jessica are unaware of the horrific ordeal about to unfold.

Their holiday is a chance to unwind and for Kathy and Martin to spend some time together. Until unsuspecting Noah accepts a seemingly innocent invitation to a beach party from a fellow holidaymaker, Rosie, who is staying at the same hotel.

Suddenly Kathy and Martin’s world spectacularly falls apart when they are left desperately fighting for their son’s freedom against extremely challenging circumstances.

An arrest, an expensive and alien legal system, looming media coverage and resistance from fellow holidaymakers to come to their aid leaves the distraught parents fighting for Noah’s freedom when ironically he should be at school sitting his latest exams.

Is it based on real events?

Danny Brocklehurst Series creator, writer and executive producer said the idea for the series did originate from a friend of his who had been in a similar situation.

He said: “This originated from a friend of mine who had been tangentially involved in something of a similar nature where a relative of theirs had been caught up in a foreign legal system. He told me about the details of this event on a walk we were on one day. I just listened to it as a story that had happened to somebody.

He said the story stayed with him and struck him as a good idea for a drama, he said: “That you could go on a holiday with your kids and an accusation could be levelled at your child and they could get caught up in a system you don’t understand and is incredibly difficult to get out of.

“I see those ordinary mums and dads every day when I do the school run and I often think to myself about how would something I’m writing resonate with these people who are ordinary, everyday people. I think more than a lot of my shows, No Return has that resonance.”

Who is in the cast?

As well as BAFTA award winning actress Sheridan Smith as Kathy, Olivier award winning actor Michael Jibson takes on the role of Martin. Noah is played by Louis Ashbourne Serkis, who is best known for his role in the 2019 fantasy adventure film The Kid Who Would Be King. Daughter Jessica is portrayed by Lily Sutcliffe, while Rosie is played by Jodie Campbell.

Completing the cast are Siân Brooke who plays Kathy’s sister Megan, David Mumeni, who plays Megan’s husband Steve, and Philip Arditti as Noah’s legal representative Rico Karvalci.

What have the cast members said about it?

Sheridan Smith, who has starred in shows such as, Cilla and Mrs Biggs, said parents would be able to relate to the drama, and she herself wondered how she would feel if it was her son in that situation.

She said: “What happens to this family is so unexpected. They go off on holiday to Turkey which they have been really looking forward to and it turns into a disaster when their son Noah is arrested. I’m sure people will think about what they would do if that was their child. “Suddenly they are plunged into a completely different legal system. It’s just a nightmare.

“When I read the script and then when I was playing the role I was thinking, ‘My God, if this was my son Billy, I can’t imagine how I would feel.’ There was a lot of angst during filming. Lots of crying, lots of screaming, lots of constant tension. The scenes where we arrive and are actually enjoying the holiday were so rare.”

Louis Ashbourne Serkis said of his character: “The family have only been on holiday for a day or two, when they are knocked sideways by the arrival of the police at their hotel room in the early hours. Noah is dragged away for reasons they don’t yet understand, and immediately imprisoned, turning their lives upside down.

“Noah is terrified. He has no idea what is going on, he’s completely disorientated and in a state of shock. He simply cannot understand what he has done wrong.”

Where was No Return filmed?

Although it is set in Turkey, the series was actually filmed in Spain, including an exterior prison location near Malaga.

Danny said: “It would have been too complicated to shoot in Turkey, including the problems of the pandemic. The area of Spain we have chosen looks like Turkey anyway. All you need to do is change the signage.”

How can I watch it?

It will be available to watch on ITV Hub and Britbox after the first episode premieres tonight. It starts on Monday (7 February) at 9pm, and episodes on the main channel will continue to broadcast weekly.

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