Maya (2026 TV series)

Last updated
Maya
GenreThriller
Created by Daisy Haggard
Written byDaisy Haggard
Directed by
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
ProducerKenny Tanner
CinematographySi Bell
Production companies
Original release
Network Channel 4

Maya is an upcoming thriller television series on Channel 4 starring Bella Ramsey and Daisy Haggard. The six-part series is written by Haggard, who is co-directing with Jamie Donoughue.

Contents

Premise

The story around Maya (Bella Ramsey), a teenage girl who, along with her mother Anna (Daisy Haggard), is placed in a witness protection program after fleeing their lives in London to escape a life-threatening danger. [1] Leaving behind Anna’s parents, Nancy (Harriet Walter) and George (Tom Courtenay), the pair are relocated to a remote Scottish village under new identities, attempting to start over.

They are aided in their adjustment by Senior Detective Constable Debs (Josie Walker) and witness protection officers Tony (Stuart Bowman) and Karen (Kiran Sonia Sawar). But their efforts to rebuild are haunted by the emotional trauma of their past and the relentless pursuit of two hitmen, Benji (Ben Chaplin) and Ted (Raphel Famotibe). As the danger escalates, it becomes clear that a calculating figure from their past, the seemingly charming Bobby (Tobias Menzies), remains a looming and very present threat. [2]

Cast

Production

Development

Channel 4 announced that it had commissioned Maya in February 2025. [3] The series is produced by Two Brothers Pictures. [4] The project marks Haggard's directorial debut. [5] Kenny Tanner is the producer. Haggard and British director Jamie Donoughue serve as executive producers alongside Harry and Jack Williams, Sarah Hammond, Alex Mercer, and Daisy Mount for Two Brothers Pictures. [6]

Casting

Haggard immediately pictured Bella Ramsey in the lead role when she conceived of the series, writing the part with Ramsey in mind. [7] Ramsey and Haggard previously portrayed daughter-mother roles in the Netflix animated series Hilda . [8]

In September 2025, the ensemble cast members were announced: Harriet Walter, Tom Courtenay, Josie Walker, Stuart Bowman, Ben Chaplin, Raphel Famotibe, Serena Manteghi, Tobias Menzies, Archie Backhouse, Paul Blair, Sonny Poon Tip, Finlay Shack, Max Fincham, Ash Hunter, Harry Hadden-Paton, Tori Allen-Martin, and Isabele Derosa. [9]

Filming

Production took place in Scotland; [7] a shop in Dalmuir closed for filming on September 8, 2025. [10] [11] The film crew also shot various scenes on Gourock Ferry Terminal, [12] in Giffnock and Newton Mearns, [13] and in the streets of Glasgow [14] and Dennistoun. [15]

Release

The series is expected to premiere on Channel 4 in 2026. [6]

References

  1. Whittock, Jesse (2025-07-02). "Bella Ramsey Lands Lead Role In Channel 4 Thriller 'Maya', With Creator Daisy Haggard Making Directorial Debut". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  2. Ritman, Alex (2025-09-18). "Tobias Menzies, Ben Chaplin, Harriet Walter Among Cast Joining Bella Ramsey in Channel 4 Thriller Series 'Maya' From Daisy Haggard and Two Brothers (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  3. "Channel 4 commissions gripping new thriller Maya, from writer and creator Daisy Haggard | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  4. Whittock, Jesse (2025-07-02). "Bella Ramsey Lands Lead Role In Channel 4 Thriller 'Maya', With Creator Daisy Haggard Making Directorial Debut". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  5. Ford, Lily (2025-07-02). "Bella Ramsey Cast in Channel 4's 'Maya,' Written by and Co-Starring Daisy Haggard". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  6. 1 2 "'Maya': Cast, Plot, Filming News | Telly Visions". tellyvisions.org. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  7. 1 2 Ritman, Alex (2025-07-02). "Bella Ramsey to Star in Channel 4 Witness Protection Thriller Series 'Maya' From Daisy Haggard". Variety. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  8. Factora, James (2025-07-02). "Bella Ramsey's Next TV Role Will Be in a "Wickedly Funny" and "Scarily Dark" Thriller". Them. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  9. Ritman, Alex (2025-09-18). "Tobias Menzies, Ben Chaplin, Harriet Walter Among Cast Joining Bella Ramsey in Channel 4 Thriller Series 'Maya' From Daisy Haggard and Two Brothers (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  10. Moore, Emily (4 September 2025). "Channel 4 thriller filming in Clydebank Co-op next week". Clydebank Post. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  11. Moore, Emily (5 September 2025). "Channel 4 thriller starring The Last of Us lead to film in Clydebank". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  12. Dodds, Christopher (2025-09-27). "Maya: Channel 4 Film crews spotted on Western Ferries vessel". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  13. Dodds, Christopher (2025-09-27). "Scenes for Channel 4 drama filmed on Gourock ferry". The Herald. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  14. Williamson, Harry (2025-10-13). "Hollywood star spotted filming in Glasgow as city streets transformed into London" . Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  15. Myles, Amy (2025-11-11). "Six amazing snaps as Glasgow neighbourhood taken over by film crews". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 2025-11-13.