The Game cast, filming locations and episode guide for Channel 5 drama

The game is afoot, and the stakes are high in a tense new psychological thriller coming to Channel 5.

Robson Green and Jason Watkins star in the new mini-series The Game, airing this week, which will keep everyone guessing.

Paul Testar, Channel 5’s commissioning editor for drama, said: “We’re thrilled to bring this trio of brilliant actors in Jason, Robson and Sunetra to this fantastic and compelling story.

“It’s a privilege to welcome Jason and Sunetra back to 5, and we are delighted to have Robson in one of our dramas for the first time.

“We think the 5 audience is going to love Tom Grieves’ fascinating cat and mouse thriller.”

What is The Game about?

Former police detective Huw (Jason Watkins) is settling into retirement after a long career in the force.

But never far from his mind is the one case he failed to solve – The Ripton Stalker.

When his new neighbour, Patrick (Robson Green), moves in and utters the chilling phrase “catch you later,” the sign-off the stalker used, Huw is set on a dangerous path.

What follows is a high-stakes game of psychological chess between the two neighbours.

Huw risks everything to unearth the truth.

But has he got the right man, or has his obsession pushed him to the brink?

Helped by his wife, Alice, Huw remains upbeat, throwing himself into retirement and playing golf with his neighbour Frank.

But Huw’s mind remains busy, searching online for the Ripton Stalker. And when Huw discovers Frank dead in the bath, the suburban street is sent into disarray.

Adamant that it’s not suicide, Huw asks Jenny for help. Something is wrong.

Moving into Frank’s old house is the handsome and enigmatic Patrick Harbottle, who introduces himself to the neighbours, Liz, Steve and Paul.

As the men go to the pub, Huw and Patrick seem to hit it off. But when Patrick says the three words ‘catch you later’, a phrase that the Ripton Stalker always signed off with in his letters, Huw is sent spiralling. Is Patrick the Ripton Stalker?

Huw’s suspicion mounts as he pleads with Jenny to see Frank’s post-mortem report.

Huw tries to get to know Patrick and soon feels on edge.

Returning home, Huw is shocked to find Patrick with Alice in his home.

They’re invited to a housewarming party. That night, Huw takes the opportunity to snoop around.

Later, Huw still can’t shake his feelings. He looks out the window and sees Patrick staring back.

Who is in the cast of The Game?

Jason Watkins

Jason Watkins stars as retired detective inspector Huw Miller, plagued by one last unsolved case.

Speaking about the role and the case, Watkins said: “It is a murder case where DI Miller was one of the main detectives.

“There were two murders and then a third victim, Ruth Parker…Ruth was tortured but survived, whilst never seeing her attacker’s face.

“Not only did Huw not solve the case, but The Ripton Stalker is still out there somewhere, and this vulnerable woman is left with these terrible emotional wounds.

“It was a complicated case, and Huw hasn’t done anything wrong, but he can’t let it go. It caused him to have a breakdown.”

The British actor, 62, won a Bafta for his portrayal of Christopher Jefferies in The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies.

He has also starred in the films Being Human, Dirk Gently, Trollied, W1A, The Crown, and Nativity.

Robson Green

Robson Green plays Patrick Harbottle, Huw Miller’s new neighbour and adversary.

The actor said: “We were trying to quantify what is the relationship between Patrick Harbottle and Huw Miller.

“I asked my son, and he said, ‘It’s a kind of perverted love story.’

“Without Huw in his life, Patrick can’t function. That’s interesting to play.”

Green, 60, rose to fame in the television series Soldier, Soldier.

He has gone on to star in shows such as Reckless, Wire in the Blood, Northern Lights, Being Human and Grantchester.

Sunetra Sarker

Sunetra Sarker takes on the role of Alice, Huw’s wife and a teacher.

She said about her character: “She’s a good 10 years off retirement herself.

“They are two very different animals. They are opposites that have attracted.

“She’s quite an independent, secure, working woman who has been happy that Huw has been a secure, full-time working policeman.

“The fact that the balance is changing has really rocked her ship.”

The actress, 51, is known for playing Nisha Batra in Brookside and Dr Zoe Hanna in Casualty.

She has also starred in No Angels, The Chase, Ackley Bridge and Informer and regularly appears on Celebrity Gogglebox and Loose Women.

Indy Lewis

Indy Lewis plays Margot Miller, the young daughter of Huw and Alice Miller.

The 24-year-old actress is best known for her role as Venetia Berens in the series Industry.

She has also appeared as Amy Wild in La Fortuna and Michal in House of David.

The Game cast also includes:

• Amber James as Jenny Atkins (The Marlowe Sessions, Grace, Vera)
• Joshua Hill as Martin Flint (Last to Brake, Life After Life, Cruella)
• Jenny Rainsford as Tina Oakley (Persuasion, Fleabag, Showtrial)
• Scott Karim as Paul Oakley (Nutritiously Nicola, Halo, The Marlowe Sessions)
• Amy Huberman as Liz Maguire (Harry Wild, Striking Out, Cold Feet, Threesome)
• Simon Harrison as Steve Maguire (Toxic Town, Until I Kill You, Endeavour)
• Christina Bennington as Ruth Parker (Halo, Nova Jones, The Admirer)
• Lewis Ian Bray as Declan (Ryan Can’t Read, Unforgotten)
• Gordon Kennedy as Frank Byrne (The Halcyon, Robin Hood, Red Cap)

Where was The Game filmed?

Filming for The Game took place in Northern Spain, in the Basque region.

The series used the cities of Bilbao and Vitoria, the capital of the region, as the backdrop.

Watkins said: “The Basque Country is an amazing place.

“We filmed in Vitoria and Bilbao, which are both exceptional places and very different.

“Bilbao is a post-industrial modern European city with the Guggenheim, of course, and an amazing football team.

“It has an old town with huge cultural inheritance that they still very much keep alive and pride themselves on with the language.”

The crew were on location in the region in the autumn of 2024.

Robson Green said he finished filming series nine of Grantchester and immediately began The Game.

“I wrapped on that on the Wednesday evening in November last year”, he said, “Got on a plane, went straight to the costume department early the next morning.”

Speaking about his time in the Basque region, he added: “Oh my God, talk about a distinctive sense of place, identity, culture, history, and heritage that is still intact.

“It’s there in the Basque Country.

“When I arrived in Bilbao, I went to the Guggenheim straight away, then walked along the river and very quickly learnt about its identity and the language and what a proud people they are.”

When is The Game on and how many episodes are there?

The Game begins on Channel 5 on Monday, 12 May at 9pm.

The four-part mini-series will air over the course of the week, culminating with the final episode on Thursday, 15 May. All will be shown at 9pm.

It can also be streamed on My5.