Sometimes, it’s nice to escape through a sun-soaked cosy crime drama such as Benidorm Is Murder, but other times we’re in the mood for something altogether more mind-bending. We’ve unearthed a 10/10 Channel 5 psychological thriller in The Catch, and with its twist-filled plot, sinister secrets and growing sense of unease – it’ll get inside your head.

The series takes us to a seemingly sleepy fishing town where devoted father Ed Collier (Jason Watkins) becomes convinced that her daughter’s new boyfriend is bad news, and he makes it his mission to remove him from her life. But as Ed’s business begins to unravel and increasingly disturbing incidents unfold, it becomes a question of whether the father is who he says he is, or whether he’s harbouring dark secrets of his own.

Intrigued? With the series available to watch this week, here’s everything you need to know about The Catch, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is The Catch about?

the catch: episode 1ed and claire on the beach
Photographer: Patrick Redmond / Channel 5

The four-part series, which first aired on Channel 5 in 2023, is based on T.M. Logan’s novel of the same name and is set against the eerily beautiful coastline of the southwest of England. The drama follows fisherman and devoted father Ed Collier (Jason Watkins), but the death of his young son in a boating accident has made him become fiercely protective of his remaining daughter Abbie (Poppy Gilbert).

When Abbie introduces him to her new boyfriend, Ryan (Aneurin Barnard), his parental instincts go into overdrive and he doesn’t trust him, leading him to become hellbent on unearthing his past. His suspicions grow when he learns Ryan changed his name, and he follows him into the town’s red-light district, where he spots him with another woman. Ryan has explanations for both, but Ed refuses to let it lie.

Meanwhile, Ed finds himself facing a string of business woes, and he discovers an unsettling shrine for his dead son in his boat’s wheelhouse, which is accompanied with an unnerving message. Even Ed’s family start to question his character and sanity as stranger events start to unravel Ed's life further...

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Who’s in the cast of The Catch?

the catch: episode 3ed comforting abbie on the harbour
Photographer: Patrick Redmond / Channel 5 Televison

The cast of The Catch includes:

  • Jason Watkins (The Game, McDonald and Dodds) as Ed Collier
  • Aneurin Barnard (Citadel) as Ryan Wilson
  • Poppy Gilbert (My Oxford Year) as Abbie Collier
  • Cathy Belton (Hidden Assets, The Hardacres) as Claire Collier
  • Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot) as Phyllis Doyle
  • Jade Jordan (Rosie) as Katz
  • Tracy Wiles (Shetland, Top Boy) as DI Jennie Nott
  • Ian Pirie (Pressure) as Bob Chapman
  • Morgan Palmeria as George
  • Cameron Jack (Perfect Skin) as Craig
  • Menyee Lai (The Tower) as Pauline
  • Paul Sparkes (Master Slave) as Wayne Pendrick
  • Jacob Hickey (The Dark Emu Story) as Josh
  • Karl Hogan (Slaughter) as Baxter

Is The Catch any good?

the catch: episode 2bob on the harbour in his fishing overalls
Photographer: Patrick Redmond / Channel 5

Yes – despite the fact it’s only four episodes, it’s an extremely twisty journey with Jason Watkins magnetic performance stealing the show. What stands out in this series is that rather than trusting the lead, you're forced to piece together his reality, versus contradictory events and accounts - and the result of this narrative technique is a truly gripping watch!

Is there a trailer for The Catch?

Yes – you can watch the full trailer for The Catch below.

How can I watch The Catch?

All four episodes of The Catch are available to watch now on Channel 5.

What other thrillers can I watch now?

from sony pictures televisionthe killing kind: sr1: ep3 on itvxpictured: ingrid lewis [emma appleton].this photograph is (c) eleventh hour films and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or itv plc. this photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by itv plc picture desk. this photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of itv picture desk. full terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
LAURENCE CENDROWICZ

For another gripping watch, try The Killing Kind, the six-part series tells the story of an impressive lawyer, Ingrid Lewis (Emma Appleton), who’s ex-client turned stalker returns to taunt her when her best friend is killed in a hit-and-run. The Killing Kind is available to watch now on ITVX. If you’re in the mood for a thrilling crime drama, we’d point you towards the series From Darkness, which first aired in 2015, where we meet Claire Church (Anne-Marie Duff), a former police officer who’s moved to a remote Scottish island to start a new life. Then a chilling discovery on her former Manchester patch forces her to confront the past she’s tried so hard to flee from. You can watch From Darkness now on U.