Sheridan Smith to star in The Castaways

Sheridan Smith will star as a missing woman in 'The Castaways'.

The 'Moorside' actress will play Lori opposite Celine Buckens as her sister Erin in the five-part drama for Paramount Plus, which is based on Lucy Clarke's novel of the same name.

The show will follow the pair as they embark on a dream holiday to Fiji, but after the sisters have a row, Erin doesn't board the island-hopping flight to their resort - and the plane, with Lori on board, never arrives at its destination and there are no trace of survivors or the aircraft wreckage.

But months later, Lori's credit card is suddenly used in a remote Fiji village and Erin recognises the plane's pilot from CCTV footage, prompting her to set out on a journey to track him down and find out what happened to her sister.

The episodes will jump between the two sisters' perspectives, following Erin's investigation and Lori's fight to survive.

Sheridan said in a statement: "I’m so excited to be working with Céline Buckens and to be part of this amazing production bringing Lucy Clarke’s best-selling novel to life. And, as I’m currently playing Shirley Valentine in London’s West End, it’s ironic that I finally get to go Greece!"

Celine added: “I’m really thrilled to bring Erin to life – she’s a firecracker and the scripts bring layers and darkness to such an arresting premise. I hope audiences will be as hooked watching it as I was reading it.”

Filming will begin on location in Greece and Fiji next month.

Writer Lucy said of the show: "I'm so delighted that 'The Castaways' is being made for Paramount Plus. It promises to be an incredible adaptation; the scriptwriting is electric, and Sheridan and Céline are perfectly cast as Lori and Erin.

"It is such fun working with the teams at Clapperboard and BlackBox who couldn't be more passionate about bringing my novel to life."