If you've enjoyed all the twists and turns of Harlan Coben's impressive back catalogue, and need a new equally exhilarating television rollercoaster ride, we have your next watch sorted. The brilliant crime thriller White Lies centres around a journalist who's investigating the violent murder of her brother. What she starts to uncover is as gripping as it gets – and perfect for anyone looking for a Harlan Coben replacement.
The South African series, which first aired in 2024, follows journalist Edie Hansen (Natalie Dormer) who's investigating an exclusive gated community in Cape Town, where her brother died. All the wealthy residents have secrets they're trying to cover: think seedy scandals, staff exploitation and illicit pastimes. But as Edie unearths their controversies, will she stop her own murky past from coming to light?
Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know about White Lies, including the plot, cast and all the inside details about this series.
What is White Lies about?
The eight-part series takes us to the deeply divided Cape Town, South Africa and it’s an exploration of wealth, identity and inequality. The drama introduces us to investigative journalist Edie Hansen (Natalie Dormer) who is dragged into a deeply personal story – the murder of her estranged brother, Andrew McKenzie (Langley Kirkwood), and the brutal attack on his wife, Olivia (Caely-Jo Levy). The family live a seemingly perfect life with their two teenage children Jaime (Morgan Santo) and Daniel (Daniel Schultz) in the opulent neighbourhood of Bishopscourt.
Edie’s search forces her to reckon with a past she’s spent years running from, and brings her to butt heads with veteran detective Forty Bell (Brendon Daniels) – who she shares a complicated history with. Things become even more complex when her teenage niece and nephew become prime suspects – and she's eager to protect them. But will she remain so loyal when she uncovers that they're covering up something deeply disturbing?
As the story progresses, dark secrets about Andrew and his business dealings are uncovered, to reveal a dark underbelly of seediness, exploitation and criminal activity beneath Bishopscourt's glossy facade. But Edie is not completely innocent – and she's covering up a family controversy of her own.
Natalie previously spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about taking on the role. ‘I’m thrilled to be in Cape Town and begin this beautiful, gripping show,’ she told the publication. ‘South Africa has so much to offer an international audience in its storytelling. I’m truly excited to bring [writer] Darrel’s eight-episode page-turner to life with such a group of talented directors, led by John, and a superb ensemble cast.’
Who’s in the cast of White Lies?
The cast of White Lies includes:
- Natalie Dormer (Game Of Thrones) as Edie Hansen
- Brendon Daniels (Four Corners) as Forty Bell
- Langley Kirkwood (Collision) as Andrew McKenzie
- Daniel Janks (Takeout) as Avi Kapilevich
- Morgan Santo (Raised By Wolves) as Jaime McKenzie
- Daniel Schultz (Unclean) as Daniel McKenzie
- Caely-Jo Levy (Escape Room) as Olivia Mckenzie
- Daniah De Villiers (London Calling) as Chloe
- Robert Hobbs (Shepherds And Butchers) as Mackey
- Athenkosi Mfamela (You’re My Favourite Place) as Peri Zondo
- Katlego Lebogang (Spinners) as Nonzi Weber
- Jane de Wet (Hag) as Teen Edie
Is there a trailer for White Lies?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for White Lies below.
Is White Lies any good?
In one word, yes! If you love a crime thriller that keeps you guessing with unpredictable twists and turns, White Lies is the perfect series. Natalie Dormer (who you probably recognise from Game Of Thrones) is compelling as Edie Hansen, a damaged and determined journalist who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth – while battling her own dark demons. With a complex central protagonist, a claustrophobic setting, dark family secrets and a storyline that's impossible to guess, it’s a worthy Harlan Coben rival.
How can I watch White Lies?
You can watch White Lies now on Channel 4.
What other crime dramas can I watch now?
For a cosier watch with brilliantly baffling murder cases, we’d recommend My Life Is Murder. The series takes us into the world of Alexa Crowe (Lucy Lawless), a fearless investigator for whom there’s no case too tricky (quite literally). And when she’s not solving crime? She’s baking bread, which helps her keep her cool. You can watch My Life Is Murder on Acorn TV via Prime Video. For another twisty tale, we’d recommend No Time For Goodbye, a crime drama set in a secluded mountainous village where Sofia Legrand (Barbara Probst) attempts to track down her family who disappeared over two decades earlier. But she soon uncovers a dark secret changes everything. No Time For Goodbye is available to watch now on Channel 4.
