A new drama starring Sheridan Smith has been branded ‘completely unwatchable’ by some viewers after its recent launch.

The Castaways aired on Channel 5 for the first time on Sunday and stars Sheridan Smith, 43, and Céline Buckens, 28, as sisters Lori and Erin Holme. 

Directed by Andy and Ryan Tohill, the story is based on Lucy Clarke’s book and follows the two sisters as their holiday takes a turn for the worst. 

Lori boards a plane to Fiji without Erin and disappears, with her flight never making it to its destination. Months later, Lori’s credit card is used and spurs Erin to find answers.

The second episode of the new five-part thriller aired last night and the series will broadcast throughout the week at 9pm.

The drama originally aired on Paramount+ in 2023 and other cast members include Brendan Cowell as Mike Brᴀss, Lasarus Ratuere as Felix Vatubua and Dominic Tighe as Daniel Eldridge.

Sheridan Smith, 43, as Lori Holme in Channel 5’s new drama The Castaways

Céline Buckens, 28, playing Lori’s sister, Erin Holme, in The Castaways

Lori boards a plane to Fiji without Erin and disappears, with her flight never making it to its destination

Some viewers have taken to social media to share their verdicts on the new show, with one branding it a ‘slow, shoddy production’.

One watcher posted on X: ‘This is completely unwatchable. What appears to be Before and Now time-lines jumping back and forth but without even clear indicators of what the h*** is going on – I cannot follow ANYTHING about this slow, shoddy production. UK TV is s***.’

A second penned: ‘They don’t seem very upset about the bodies they’ve just pushed out to sea! Dreadful script #thecastaways.’

Someone else wrote: ‘Someone tell me this gets better as it’s utter drivel at the moment! #TheCastaways’

While a fourth said: ‘#thecastaways Absolute mindless drivel. One and a half hour flight leaves in broad daylight, flies through the night and crashes the next morning.’

However, some were more positive about the thriller with one even saying they were ‘hooked’. 

Actor Brendan Cowell playing Mike Brᴀsse in the new thriller

Dominic Tighe seen as Daniel Eldridge in The Castaways

Some viewers have taken to social media to share their verdicts on the new show

‘Watching The Castaways on S1 E3 and I’m just hooked. I’ve loved Sheridan Smith since Two Pints. She’s never let me down. #thecastaways,’ someone posted on X.

Another said: ‘Really enjoyed this, good to see something slightly different for a change! #thecastaways’

A third wrote: ‘I am enjoying #TheCastaways on Channel 5. Great to see Sheridan Smith back on the TV.’

It comes after, back in 2023, Sheridan revealed she had to cover up her tattoos while playing her character in The Castaways. 

Missing woman Lori often has her bare arms and legs showing and producers weren’t keen on Sheridan’s tattoos, so the make-up department put in long sessions to cover them up.

Sheridan Smith and Céline Buckens pictured as sisters Lori and Erin Holme

Some viewers were more positive about the thriller with one even saying they were ‘hooked’

‘I had a call three hours before anyone else,’ she told Radio Times. ‘I couldn’t use my usual stuff to cover them up, it had to be waterproof!

‘So three people were dabbing away every day to cover it all.

‘I never regretted my tats so much – I’ll never have another one.’ On the plus side, Ms Smith said this role was her ‘most physical’ yet and helped her lose weight.

The Castaways airs on Channel 5 and is available to stream on Paramount+.