In Flight is a gripping six-part British crime thriller series that premiered on Channel 4 on August 12, 2025, starring Katherine Kelly as Jo Conran. The series follows a dedicated flight attendant and single mother whose life is upended when her teenage son, Sonny, is arrested and jailed for murder in Bulgaria. Coerced by a ruthless criminal syndicate led by the menacing Cormac (Stuart Martin), Jo is forced to use her international flight routes to smuggle heroin into the United Kingdom to ensure her son’s safety within the perilous foreign prison system. Written by Mike Walden and Adam Randall and directed by Chris Baugh, the show has been lauded for its “nerve-shredding” tension and Kelly’s powerhouse performance as a mother pushed to the ultimate moral brink.
The Plot: A Mother’s Impossible Choice
The narrative of In Flight begins with an ordinary family tragedy that quickly spirals into a global criminal conspiracy. When 19-year-old Sonny Conran is accused of a bar-fight murder in Sofia, Bulgaria, his mother Jo discovers that the local legal system is rigged against him.
Desperate and alone in a foreign hotel, Jo is approached by Cormac, a high-ranking member of a drug cartel who offers “protection” for Sonny in exchange for Jo’s services as a drug mule. The series meticulously tracks her descent into a world of hidden compartments, airport security dodges, and the constant threat of life imprisonment.
Meet the Cast of In Flight
Katherine Kelly as Jo Conran
The heart of the series is Jo, played by the award-winning Katherine Kelly (Coronation Street, Mr Bates vs The Post Office). Jo is portrayed not as a superhero, but as an exhausted, resourceful woman whose maternal instinct overrides her fear of the law.
Stuart Martin as Cormac Kelleher
Stuart Martin (Miss Scarlet and the Duke) delivers a chilling performance as Cormac. He serves as Jo’s handler, oscillating between a terrifying threat and a strangely empathetic partner as they are both forced to execute an escape plan in the final episodes.
Ashley Thomas as Dominic Delaney
Ashley Thomas (Top Boy, Great Expectations) plays Dom, Jo’s ex-boyfriend and a customs officer at a major London airport. His conflict of interest—loving Jo while being sworn to protect the borders—adds a layer of romantic and professional tension to the smuggling operations.
Episode Breakdown: Season 1
Episode 1: Sonny is arrested; Jo travels to Bulgaria and is blackmailed by Cormac into her first smuggling run.
Episode 2: Jo attempts to hide heroin in the airport but it goes missing, leading to a 24-hour race against time.
Episode 3: Sonny is stabbed in prison; Jo turns to Dom for help, uncovering a lack of police intelligence on the cartel.
Episode 4: A new witness offers hope for Sonny’s appeal, but Jo suspects a trap set by the corrupt local authorities.
Episode 5: An unlikely partnership forms between Jo and Cormac; Dom discovers a shocking betrayal within the force.
Episode 6 (Finale): The truth of the murder is revealed; Jo and Cormac attempt a high-stakes escape as the syndicate closes in.
Practical Information and Viewing
How to Watch
United Kingdom: Available to stream in full on Channel 4+ (formerly All 4). It originally aired on Tuesday nights at 9:00 PM.
Australia: Broadcast on SBS and available on SBS On Demand.
New Zealand: Available via TVNZ+.
Germany: Pre-bought by ProSieben for 2026 broadcast.
Key Production Facts
Creators: Mike Walden and Adam Randall.
Director: Chris Baugh.
Production Company: Buccaneer Media (Marcella, The Burning Girls).
Format: 6 x 60-minute episodes.
Rating: TV-14 / 15 (Contains scenes of violence and drug use).
Tips for Travelers
While the show depicts Bulgaria’s prison system in a fictional, “noir” light, travelers should note that the filming locations in Belfast are highly accessible. The Crumlin Road Gaol is a popular tourist attraction offering daily tours that showcase the cells used in the series.
FAQs
Who is the main actress in In Flight?
Katherine Kelly stars as the protagonist Jo Conran. She is well known for her roles in Coronation Street, Happy Valley, and The Long Shadow.
Is In Flight a true story?
No, In Flight is a fictional crime thriller. While it deals with realistic themes of drug smuggling and foreign legal systems, the characters and specific plot points are imagined by writers Mike Walden and Adam Randall.
Where was In Flight filmed?
The series was primarily filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with specific locations like Ulster University and Belfast International Airport doubling for global cities like Bangkok and Sofia.
Who killed the victim in Sofia?
In the series finale (Episode 6), it is revealed that Sonny was innocent, and the murder was part of a larger cover-up involving corrupt Bulgarian officials and the drug syndicate.
Is there a Season 2 of In Flight?
As of February 2026, Channel 4 has not officially announced a second season. The series was produced as a limited drama, though its high ratings have sparked rumors of a potential follow-up.
What is Jo’s job in the show?
Jo is a long-haul flight attendant, a role she is forced to exploit to bypass customs and smuggle illegal substances.
Does Sonny get out of prison?
Yes, by the end of the final episode, Jo’s relentless efforts and the exposure of the conspiracy lead to Sonny’s release and their eventual reunion.
What is the “noir” influence mentioned by the creators?
Creators Mike Walden and Adam Randall described the show as a “modern noir,” characterized by moral ambiguity, cynical characters, and a dark, stylish visual aesthetic.
How can I watch In Flight in the US?
In the US, the series is distributed by Fremantle. It is expected to land on a major streaming platform (such as Hulu or Netflix) later in 2026.
What song is in the In Flight trailer?
The trailer features a suspenseful, slowed-down cover of a classic pop track, designed to highlight the “nerve-shredding” nature of the thriller.
Who plays the villain Cormac?
Cormac is played by Stuart Martin, known for his role as William “The Duke” Wellington in Miss Scarlet and the Duke.
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