The Moorside is inspired by the true story of Shannon Matthews’s disappearance

 

When it comes to British TV dramas, we can always count on Sheridan Smith. Just as we do with Nicola Walker, Suranne Jones and Sarah Lancashire, whenever we see Sheridan’s name on a show, we immediately press play.

Who plays Karen Matthews in The Moorside? Gemma Whelan, also known as Yara Greyjoy from Game of Thrones, stars in the BBC1 drama. Also BBC First | Radio Times

In recent years, the Gavin & Stacey star has won widespread critical acclaim for her performances in Four Lives (2022), The Teacher (2022), and, most recently, I Fought the Law (2025), the latter of which bagged her a Royal Television Society Award.

Among her best-loved projects, one of Sheridan’s most memorable performances came in 2017, when she led the cast of The Moorside, a two-part drama recalling the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews.

Almost a decade later, The Moorside is streaming on ITVX, drawing in a brand new crowd of viewers, some of whom have taken to IMDb, calling it a “gritty” and “powerful” watch, while Sheridan herself billed it as a “tale of terrible betrayal”.

From the plot to the cast, here’s what we know about the binge-worthy series…

The Moorside: Plot

Fans praise "brilliant" Sheridan Smith for The Moorside while others slam "awful accents" - The Mirror

Recalling the disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews from Dewsbury in 2008, The Moorside examines family friend Julie Bushby’s (Sheridan Smith) efforts to find her, before learning that Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews (Gemma Whelan), had orchestrated the kidnapping to secure reward money. Exploring Julie’s relationship with Karen, the series also delves into the investigation that eventually resulted in Shannon’s rescue.

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Speaking about her character’s arc in the drama, Sheridan told Radio Times: “Julie was terribly betrayed by Karen. And she received a lot of ridicule and abuse for apparently being taken in by her. But she is a kind and courageous woman with a massive heart who just refused to believe the absolute worst of Karen.”

The Moorside: Cast

Appearing alongside Sheridan, Gemma Whelan – known for her roles in Killing Eve (2020) and The Tower (2021-2024) portrays Karen Matthews. Meanwhile, Blue Lights (2023) star Sian Brooke is billed as fellow Moorside Estate resident and Karen’s neighbour, Natalie Brown. Rounding out the cast, Happy Valley‘s Siobhan Finneran and D.I Ray‘s Steve Oram play Detective Constables Christine Freeman and Alex Grummitt, respectively.

The Moorside: Release

The Moorside is available to watch now on ITVX.