‘Poldark’ and ‘Outlander’ stars lead new TV thriller ‘The Couple Next Door’

Two of our favourite period drama stars have teamed up for a brand new series!

Channel 4 and Starz has announced the core cast for The Couple Next Door.

The six-part thriller is described as “a deliciously dark, psychological drama, exploring the stultifying claustrophobia of suburbia and the fallout of chasing your darkest desires.”

Leading the line-up for the show are Sam Heughan from Outlander and Eleanor Tomlinson from Poldark.

Heughan has played Jamie in Starz’s historical fantasy series since 2014.

The 42-year-old Scottish actor has also appeared in To Olivia, Midsomer Murders, The Spy Who Dumped Me, and his fun road trip series Men in Kilts, which returns for a second season soon.

Tomlinson is best known for playing Demelza Poldark between 2015 and 2019.

She’s also had roles in Colette, Jack the Giant Slayer, Love Wedding Repeat, and The Outlaws.

The Couple Next Door also stars Australian actress Jessica De Gouw, who you might recognise from Operation Buffalo and Vienna Blood, plus Alfred Enoch from the Harry Potter movies and How to Get Away with Murder.

Filming right now in Leeds, England and Belgium, the show comes from Marcella writer David Allison.

It’s directed by Dries Vos, who previously worked with Eleanor Tomlinson’s Poldark co-star Aidan Turner in last year’s ITV drama Suspect.

The official synopsis for the series reads: “When Evie (Eleanor Tomlinson) and Pete (Alfred Enoch) move into an upscale neighborhood, they find themselves in a world of curtain twitching and status anxiety.

“But soon find friendship in the shape of the couple next door, alpha traffic cop Danny (Sam Heughan) and his wife, glamorous yoga instructor Becka (Jessica De Gouw). Sam Heughan heads up the cast as Danny who shares a passionate night with Evie, his beautiful but troubled neighbor.”

Here’s a full look at the show’s gorgeous cast:

Eleanor Tomlinson commented: “Evie is an exciting challenge for me – a girl whose world is turned upside down as she navigates devastating trauma, which isn’t helped by unresolved issues from her past.

“We have an excellent team on board, and I am looking forward to exploring this dark and complicated world alongside Sam and our director Dries.”

Starz’s President of Original Programming, Kathryn Busby added: “Sam [Heughan] has truly found his home at STARZ as he continues to shine on our slate. This marks our third series with the brilliant actor and we cannot wait to see the chemistry he and Eleanor will ignite together in this provocative series.”

The release date for the new season of Outlander was announced by Starz this week, so we’ve got lots of Sam on our telly to look forward to!

The Couple Next Door is expected to premiere in 2024 on Channel 4 in the UK, on STARZ in the US and Canada, and on Lionsgate+ in Latin America.

Outlander is available to watch on Starz.