Glenn Close has already proved she can turn her hand to almost any role, from Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmations to ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes in Damages - but her next turn in Channel 4's razor-sharp crime drama, Up to No Good, may well surprise you. The actress is tapping into her dark side for daring new series, Maud, in which she'll play a pensioner who's also a killer with a tortured past. We said it was surprising!
The six-part series is based on two short story collections by Swedish writer Helene Tursten and will see the Fatal Attraction star lead the cast as Maud Oldcastle, a ruthless older woman with a passion for murder. She’s spent years caring for her sister and is determined to get her old life back - but an increasingly suspicious detective might just get in the way of her second act.
With the new series set to arrive on our screens this year, here’s everything you need to know about Up to No Good before then, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Up to No Good about?
The six-part series will see Glenn Close step into the shoes of Maud Oldcastle, a pensioner with a penchant for killing. The drama is based on short story collections, An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good (published in 2018) and An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed (2021), by bestselling Swedish writer Helene Tursten, which are already hugely popular with fans.
According to the official synopsis, Maud is a "hilariously brusque, cantankerous, and ruthless older woman… and those are her nice qualities. She's also a killer with a tortured past. Determined to break from a lifetime spent caring for her sister, Maud sets out to claim a long-overdue second act… but a suspicious detective and an unrelenting world built for youth may soon discover just how far she’ll go to protect her freedom.”
Glenn Close has shared her delight at taking on a "different" role, saying: “I am honoured to be working with Channel 4, Sony and Playground to bring this highly original series to life. Nina and Moses Raine are deliciously brilliant writers and Maud Oldcastle is not like any character I have played before. I am thrilled to be a part of such a stellar team.”
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Gwawr Lloyd, acting head of drama at Channel 4, has described the series as "deliciously dark" and "daring", while Scott Huff, joint Managing Director of production company, Playground says it's a "bold, character-focused drama we’re passionate about creating."
He continued: "Having the extraordinary Glenn Close join us to embody this remarkable character is a dream come true. Nina and Moses Raine have written a distinctive crime drama that explores modern themes with razor-sharp wit and insight. Channel 4’s commitment to bold storytelling makes them the ideal partner for this series, and we’re grateful to Gwawr Lloyd and Rebecca Holdsworth for their support. We’re equally thrilled to partner with Sony, whose backing and commitment have been pivotal in bringing this series to life.”
Who’s in the cast of Up to No Good?
The cast of Up to No Good includes:
- Glenn Close (101 Dalmations) as Maud
- Claudia Jessie (Bridgerton, Toxic Town) as Hannah
- Gloria Obianyo (Andor, Anxious People) as Astrid
- Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Doctor Who) as Elsa
- Ben Crompton (Game of Thrones) as Barry
- Meera Syal (The Revenge Club) as Margaret
- Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey) as Charlotte
- Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education)
- Mathew Baynton (Ghosts)
- Iain Glen (Game of Thrones)
- Raphaël Acloque (Little Birds)
- Nadia Albina (A Thousand Blows)
- Louisa Binder (Hotel Portofino)
- Meg Ballamy (The Crown)
- Madeleine Mantock (The Long Song)
- Peter Egan (Unforgotten)
- Richard E. Grant (Saltburn)
How can I watch Up to No Good?
Channel 4 hasn’t yet announced a release date for Up to No Good, but we do know that the series will arrive on our screens at some point in 2026. As soon as we have a confirmed release date, we'll share it here.
