KITCHEN nightmares

RUPERT PENRY-JONES and JILL HALFPENNY on building tension in their latest twist-filled drama

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Jill Halfpenny and Rupert Penry-Jones are thrilled to be working together again after the success of their previous 5 miniseries, 2021 drama The Drowning.

In The Feud, a new mystery-laden story for the channel, they star as criminal-defence solicitor Emma Barnett and her unemployed husband John, who lead a seemingly idyllic life on a friendly suburban street with their teenage daughter, Beth (Ridley's Megan Trower).

Things take a worrying turn, however, when Emma's decision to extend the family kitchen sparks turmoil on (fictional) cul-de-sac Shelbury Drive, destroying previously harmonious relationships with their neighbours as well as unearthing sinister secrets.

'Rupert and I enjoy playing characters under tension,' smiles Jill, 49, as TV Times catches up with both actors to chat about the six-part series.

'Yes, we're good at portraying people who don't like each other, which was great for this piece,' agrees Rupert, 54, with a grin. 'From the very beginning, you know that everything is going to go horribly wrong!'

Here, Jill and Rupert tell us more...

So, how are we introduced to Emma and John?

RUPERT The series opens with Emma at a house that's covered in blood and looks like a disaster area. Then events flash back a month to a street party, where you learn how the Barnetts' kitchen-conversion plans have unravelled the facade of a group of people whose lives are imploding.