“A razor-sharp crime drama”: Glenn Close taps into her “dark” side in “daring” new Channel 4 series Maud

Glenn Close has already proved she can turn her hand to almost any role, from Cruella de Vil in Disney's 101 Dalmations to ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes in Damages - but her next turn in Channel 4's razor-sharp crime drama 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 told you it would surprise you!

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" who has a passion for murder. Yes, really. She’s spent years caring for her sister and is determined to get her "life" back - only an increasingly suspicious detective might just get in the way.

While we wait for Maud to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is Maud about?

As we mentioned, 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.

According to the official synopsis, Maud is a "hilariously brusque, cantankerous, and ruthless older woman… and those are her nice qualities." The synopsis continues: "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.”

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."

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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 Maud?

As it stands, Glenn Close is the only confirmed cast member of Maud and will star in the lead role of Maud Oldcastle. As soon as we have more details about the rest of the cast, we’ll update you here.

Is Maud worth watching?

Yes - Glenn Close is an eight-time Oscar-winner and her role in Maud marks something entirely new for her. She's also executive producing the series, so the stakes are high!

How can I watch Maud?

Channel 4 hasn’t yet announced a release date for Maud, but we do know that filming is due to take place in London later this year. As soon as we have a confirmed release date, we'll share it here.