A Fresh Take on Love and Faith in Channel 4’s ‘Falling’
People looking for a new binge-worthy series will want to mark their calendars for Channel 4’s Falling. This six-episode romantic drama dares to walk the line between faith and forbidden passion, all wrapped up in smart, sharp writing that fans of “Fleabag” will immediately recognize. It’s the latest creation from Jack Thorne, whose past work veered into heavy, often serious territory. This time, he’s daring viewers to root for a love story that would be deeply problematic in real life: a nun and a priest tangled up in a web of desire, doubt, and devotion.
At the heart of the show is Anna, played by Keeley Hawes, who’s made a name for herself tackling complicated characters. Anna takes her vows and faith seriously—until she crosses paths with David, a young Catholic priest brought to life by Paapa Essiedu. Both know the rules, both feel the pull of a connection that threatens to upend their lives and everything they believe. Hawes and Essiedu bring enormous warmth and chemistry, making Anna and David’s emotional journey feel real and immediate.
Unlike other shows that shy away from religion’s trickier questions, “Falling” dives right in. It’s not just about two people falling for each other—it’s about what happens when sacred devotion crashes into the messiness of human longing. Viewers get front-row seats to both the laughter and heartbreak, and the dialogue snaps with wit even as the stakes get higher. Thorne, best known for projects like “Help” and “Adolescence,” is flexing new muscles here, showing he can tug at heartstrings and make you laugh in the very same scene.
Clever Writing, Star Power, and a Standout Cast
The series is helmed by director Peter Hoar, whose recent project “It’s A Sin” made a seismic impact. His touch ensures “Falling” isn’t just a romance but a deep dive into what it really means to choose. Where many dramas simply borrow the trappings of faith, this one explores how religious calling and real human need can so easily clash and blur.
Backing up Hawes and Essiedu is a lineup of established stars and newcomers. Rakie Ayola, familiar from “The Pact,” and Jason Watkins, known for “Coma,” round out the cast, along with Niamh Cusack and two rising talents, Holly Rhys and Shayde Sinclair. This mix keeps the series feeling both fresh and grounded. The show is being filmed in Wales and Bristol, which gives it a modern, lived-in feel, steering clear of stuffy stereotypes about convents and clergy houses.
The buzz around “Falling” isn’t just about its story, but also how it’s told. There’s a breezy honesty to how Anna and David’s relationship unfolds, with humor balancing out the heavier moments. Don’t expect melodrama; the script is too smart for that. Instead, it plays with expectations, poking at the absurdities and tensions bubbling under surfaces no one wants to admit exist.
Thorne’s first time at the helm of a love story—especially one this unusual—feels like a gamble, but it’s paying off with critics and early viewers. By offering something bolder than your average TV romance, Channel 4 is betting big that audiences are ready for stories that make them think, laugh, and maybe squirm a little. Anyone hungry for a drama that combines spiritual wrestling, sharp writing, and genuine chemistry should keep “Falling” high on their must-watch list.
