Sharon Rooney to lead 5 detective thriller An Impossible Way To Die
Channel 5 has released first-look images of An Impossible Way To Die, a six-part murder-mystery drama starring Sharon Rooney and Emmett J Scanlan, due to air in 2027.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Sharon Rooney will lead An Impossible Way To Die, a new six-part detective thriller for 5, with first-look images released on 5 October 2026. Radio TimesN “5 has released first-look images from An Impossible Way to Die, a new six-part detective thriller fronted by Celebrity Traitors star Sharon Rooney and MobLand actor Emmett J Scanlan.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Evening StandardN “Across six hour-long episodes” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 2Rooney plays detective sergeant Katie Salter, whose quiet local policing life is upended when she is thrust into a high-pressure murder investigation. Evening StandardN “takes on the role of detective sergeant Katie Salter, whose quiet local policing life is upended when she is thrust into a high-pressure murder investigation” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Radio TimesN “plays DS Katie Salter, a detective whose quiet local policing life is upended” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 2The case involves four people found dead around a table seemingly set for a dinner party, with the only clue a scorpion crawling out of one victim's mouth. Radio TimesN “Four people sit around a table seemingly set for a dinner party, except they are all dead. The only clue is a scorpion crawling out of one of the victim's mouths.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Evening StandardN “the mysterious deaths of four people at what appears to be a dinner party” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Centre · 2Irish actor Emmett J Scanlan, who plays Paul O'Donnell in MobLand, co-stars as detective inspector Niall Conway, the lead investigator, whose all-consuming dedication to the job clashes with Salter's measured, grounded approach. Radio TimesN “Salter’s measured, grounded approach clashes with Conway’s all-consuming dedication to the job.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Evening StandardN “Irish actor Scanlan, whose character has an all-consuming dedication to his work” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 1According to 5's synopsis, Conway comes to value Salter's empathy, optimism and instinctive understanding of people as secrets are unearthed, conspiracies emerge and lives are put at risk. Radio TimesN “Conway begins to recognise the value of Salter's empathy, optimism, and instinctive understanding of people.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 15 describes the drama as character-driven and unpredictable, exploring identity, protection, power and corruption, and says Salter is not a stereotypical damaged and tormented TV detective. Radio TimesN “Described as a character-driven, unpredictable drama exploring identity, protection, power and corruption”“not your stereotypical damaged and tormented TV detective” Read at Radio Times ↗
Centre · 1The cast also includes Ashley McGuire (This Country), Lois Chimimba (Coldwater) and Jonny Lavelle (Down Cemetery Road). Radio TimesN “The confirmed cast also includes Lois Chimimba (Coldwater), Jonny Lavelle (Down Cemetery Road) and Ashley McGuire (This Country).” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1The series is produced by Clapperboard Studios for 5, directed by Adam Wimpenny, and expected to air on 5 in 2027. Evening StandardN “produced by Clapperboard Studios for 5 and directed by Adam Wimpenny”“An Impossible Way To Die is expected to air on 5 in 2027.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 2Rooney, 37, from Glasgow, found fame in My Mad Fat Diary and is currently competing in the second series of the BBC's Celebrity Traitors. Evening StandardN “The Scottish actress, 37, is among the stars competing in the second series of the BBC reality show” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Radio TimesN “best known as Rae Earl in My Mad Fat Diary” Read at Radio Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets present a casting and first-look announcement, leading on Rooney's Celebrity Traitors profile and the scorpion murder-mystery premise. Radio Times relays 5's synopsis and descriptions more closely; the Standard adds Rooney's background and age.
- Emphasis
- The Celebrity Traitors link, the premise, the leads' roles and the supporting cast.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither gives a precise air date or says how many episodes were filmed beyond six; neither includes outside comment.
- Charged language
- “gripping”“impossible”
- For example
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“5's An Impossible Way to Die pairs Sharon Rooney and Emmett J. Scanlan for a murder mystery with a scorpion twist.” — Radio Times
“Rooney will star in the new drama as detective sergeant Katie Salter” — Evening Standard
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The drama is a six-part detective thriller for 5, due in 2027.
- Sharon Rooney plays DS Katie Salter and Emmett J Scanlan plays DI Niall Conway.
- The plot centres on four dead people at a dinner-party table and a scorpion clue.
- Clapperboard Studios produces the series.
Sharon Rooney person
Rooney is presented as the lead, playing DS Katie Salter; no direct comment from her is quoted.
“as she leads new TV drama An Impossible Way To Die” — Evening Standard
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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Celebrity Traitors star Sharon Rooney leads TV thriller An Impossible Way To Die
Neutral Entertainment news piece tying Rooney's new role to her current Celebrity Traitors appearance.
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Celebrity Traitors and MobLand stars lead first look at "gripping" six-part detective thriller
Sympathetic Promotional-leaning first look that relays 5's synopsis and calls the drama "gripping".
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 5 Oct 09:19 First Evening StandardN Celebrity Traitors star Sharon Rooney leads TV thriller An Impossible Way To Die
- 5 Oct 10:58 +1h 39m Radio TimesN Celebrity Traitors and MobLand stars lead first look at "gripping" six-part detective thriller
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.