ITV’s new thriller series Red Eye takes off on Sunday 21 April with a gripping first episode, setting the stage for a tense and twist-filled journey. The show centres on an overnight flight from London to Beijing, where a British man, Dr. Matthew Nolan, is being extradited to China on suspicion of murder.
Red Eye stars an impressive ensemble cast, including Jing Lusi, Richard Armitage, Lesley Sharp, and Jemma Moore. The series is created and written by Peter A. Dowling, with episode 4 penned by Jingan Young, and directed by Kieron Hawkes.
The story unfolds during an overnight flight from London to Beijing, where a British doctor, Dr. Matthew Nolan (Richard Armitage), is being extradited to China on suspicion of murder. As the flight progresses, a series of escalating conspiracies and murders unfold, drawing in DC Hana Li (Jing Lusi), a London police officer with a traumatic past, who is escorting Dr. Nolan. Born in Hong Kong, DC Li is reluctant to return to Beijing and resents both the assignment and Dr. Nolan himself. However, when a murder occurs onboard, she suspects foul play and embarks on an investigation, uncovering a wider conspiracy.
Back in London, we meet Hana’s half-sister, Jess Li (Jemma Moore), a scrappy journalist who takes advantage of Hana’s assignment to further her own career. Jess’s investigation puts her in danger as she finds herself on the run from a lethal assassin. Meanwhile, in Thames House, the head of MI5, Madeline Delaney (Lesley Sharp), breaks protocol to help Hana and Nolan, exposing an international conspiracy that implicates both China and her own government.
With its adrenaline-fuelled narrative, Red Eye delivers a collision of three worlds—those of DC Hana Li, Journalist Jess Li, and MI5 agent Madeline Delaney—as they navigate a web of secrets, lies, and geopolitical tensions. The series promises stunning visuals, with locations spanning from the bustling streets of Beijing to the imposing Heathrow Airport in London.
Commenting on the series, ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, said, “Red Eye is a brilliantly addictive thriller with an international story taking place on the red-eye flight from Heathrow to Beijing. Thanks to Peter [A. Dowling]’s scripts, the story will have the audience gripped and continually surprised throughout.”
Red Eye is produced by the multi-award-winning Wales-based production company Bad Wolf, founded in 2015 by Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner. Executive producers include Julie Gardner (I Hate Suzie, Doctor Who) and Lachlan MacKinnon (Industry, A Discovery of Witches). Dan McCulloch (His Dark Materials, Endeavour), Bad Wolf’s Director of Content, is responsible for developing and overseeing the project. Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution.
The series is directed by Kieron Hawkes (Fortitude, Power Book IV: Force), with Kristian Dench (The Capture, Strike Back) as producer.
Jing Lusi, who takes on the lead role of DC Hana Li, has already caught the attention of international audiences with her roles in Crazy Rich Asians and the upcoming Netflix thriller Heart of Stone. Lusi shared her excitement, stating, “Red Eye marks a turning point in British Asian representation and I am beyond thrilled and proud to be leading this series.”
Red Eye airs on Sunday 21 April 2024 at 9.00 pm on ITV1.
