❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Forever Home stars confirm major change from Graham Norton's book: "Nobody will be able to spoil it"

"It'll keep the audience on their toes."

Amy Nuttall in Forever Home, looking at the camera.

5

Published: Tuesday, 8 September 2026 at 7:00 am

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

Every adaptation brings changes, both big and small – and 5's version of Graham Norton's Forever Home is no exception.

Ad

At the less consequential end of the scale, you can expect a new setting (Ireland has been substituted for North-East England) and new character names, but there's one seismic change from the writer and broadcaster’s fourth novel that upends everything.

The six-part series follows Amy Nuttall's Carol, who is worried about her older partner Robert's (Douglas Henshall) worsening dementia when some unsettling information comes to light.

"She starts to wonder if the reason he won't leave his home has something to do with the whereabouts of his first wife, who ran off with Robert's brother 20 years ago, leaving behind their two young children Kaden and Sally," reads the synopsis.

"When Robert’s anxiety about the house's hidden basement rises, Carol's curiosity is piqued."

As she and her mother investigate the whereabouts of Robert's first wife, Joan, Carol later discovers a body in the basement's freezer, suggesting that Joan may have been murdered.

"But the secrets Robert has kept will take a long time to untangle," continues the logline.

Yet, the person responsible for the murder in the 5 series "is actually different to the book", revealed Lewis Cope, who plays Kaden.

Watch trailer

"They won’t know what's coming," added Nuttall, describing that change as "a good thing, it'll keep the audience on their toes".

"Nobody will be able to spoil it for others online or down the shops," added Jenny Walser, who stars as Sally. "'Well, I've read the book and I know what happens', she mimicked. "Because no, you don't."

Nuttall also teased "more twists and turns than there are in the book".

"But that's just an added extra. It's a bonus, hopefully that the audience will love," with Walser confirming that "the heart of the novel is still very much intact, very much there".

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Discussing how Norton himself responded to the changes made by lead writer Clara Salomon (Too Close) and the cast's interpretation of his work, Cope said: "He was so fantastic at handing it over and allowing the production to produce it, and creating room for all of us to bring ideas.

"So it was very freeing. We didn't feel restrained to having to play a certain thing a certain way."

While "TV is a completely different medium", added Nuttall, "Graham very graciously gave it to Clara", who she praised for doing "an epic job... and fleshing it out over six episodes".

"There has to be some changes and I think she's done it so beautifully and brilliantly," she continued.

Graham even took some time to join the cast and crew on set, which was "like the having the head teacher in in the classroom," according to Nuttall.

"But he just had such a lovely, soft, gentle energy," added Cope. "He was just so nice to have around."

Other members of the cast include Denise Welch (Coronation Street), Shane Zaza (Happy Valley) and Kevin Whately (Lewis).

Forever Home premieres on Monday 14 September at 9pm on 5.

Add Forever Home to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Ad

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

A head and shoulders shot of Abby Robinson. She is in front of a grey background, looking at the camera and smiling. She wears a black zipped-up jacket with an elaborate gold and maroon design

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...