British Airways is making permanent changes to its network, announcing the cancellation of all flights from London Heathrow to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 24 April. Having suspended most Middle East services shortly after the conflict began, British Airways will resume flights to Dubai, Doha, and Tel Aviv in the second half of the year, though at a much-reduced scale.
While airspace in the region is starting to reopen, with Bahrain’s Gulf Air set to resume London flights, BA’s decision marks a strategic pivot away from the Middle East.
Adding to the strain, jet fuel prices have soared since the conflict’s onset, intensifying pressure on carriers already rerouting to bypass the volatile region.
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Below is the latest on which airlines have cancelled flights to the region, in alphabetical order:
Aegean Airlines
Greece’s largest carrier cancelled flights to Riyadh and Amman until June 27 and to Tel Aviv and Beirut until June 26. It cancelled flights to Erbil and Baghdad until July 2 and to Dubai until June 29.
airBaltic
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Latvia’s airBaltic says all flights to Tel Aviv have been cancelled until May 31. All flights to Dubai are cancelled until October 24.
Air Canada
The Canadian carrier has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until September 7.
A display in the arrivals terminal of the Henri Coanda International Airport shows cancelled flights originating in Middle East countries (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Air Europa
The Spanish airline has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv until May 3.
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Air France
Air France has suspended its Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh flights until May 3.
It plans to reduce services to Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv to one daily flight from July 1, and to cut Riyadh services from two daily flights to one from mid-May. Changes apply through the summer season that ends on October 24, with one Dubai service restarting on October 16.
Cathay Pacific
The Hong Kong airline has cancelled all passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh until June 30. To cater for a surge in demand to Europe, it will operate extra passenger flights to London, Paris and Zurich in April.
Delta
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The U.S. carrier has cancelled its New York-Tel Aviv flights and delayed the restart of its Atlanta-Tel Aviv route until September 5. It said the launch of its Boston-Tel Aviv route, planned for late October, has been delayed until further notice.
EL AL Israel Airlines
The Israeli carrier said customers who planned to depart Israel through April 18 had their flights cancelled, including relevant return flights. It will increase the number of destinations to about 30 from April 13 and will gradually expand that number through the rest of the month.
Emirates
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The UAE carrier has said it is operating a commercial flight schedule between Dubai and around 110 destinations.
Ethiad Airways
The UAE carrier said it had resumed a limited commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and around 80 destinations.
Finnair
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The Finnish carrier has cancelled its Doha flights until July 2, while continuing to avoid the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel. The airline only restarts its Dubai flights in October.
Flynas
The Saudi budget airline has suspended flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Syria until April 15.
Iberia Express
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IAG’s low-cost airline, Iberia Express, has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv through May 31.
Indigo
The Indian airline suspended operations to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah until March 28.
ITA Airways
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ITA Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until April 2 and extended Dubai cancellations until March 29, continuing to avoid the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel.
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines has suspended scheduled Tokyo-Doha flights until May 10 and Doha-Tokyo flights until May 11. The airline also announced extra flights between Tokyo and London on April 25.
KLM
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KLM has suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai until May 17.
LOT
The Polish airline has suspended all its flights to Tel Aviv until May 31. It has also cancelled flights to Riyadh until June 30 and to Beirut from March 31 to May 30.
The airline plans to operate its winter route to Dubai in October.
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Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways and Edelweiss suspended flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv until May 31, and to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran until October 24.
Lufthansa Cargo is the same, except for the Tel Aviv suspension, which will last through April 30.
Low-cost carrier Eurowings plans to suspend flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Erbil through April 30 and to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman through October 24.
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Passengers wait amid flight disruptions as a result of the Israeli-US strikes on Iran, at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. (AFP/Getty)
Malaysia Airlines
The Malaysian carrier has suspended all flights to Doha until June 14.
Norwegian Air
The low-cost airline has pushed back planned launches of its Tel Aviv and Beirut services to June 15.
Pegasus
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Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines cancelled its Iran, Iraq, Amman, Beirut, Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Riyadh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah flights until May 1.
Qantas
Australia’s flag carrier is adding flights to Rome and Paris to meet an upswing in demand for European routes.
Flights to Paris will increase to five return flights per week from three and the Perth-Singapore service will increase from daily to 10 flights per week.
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An updated schedule will come into effect progressively for flights from mid-April and run until late July.
Qatar Airways
The carrier said it is gradually increasing flights from Doha to more than 120 destinations by mid-May.
Royal Air Maroc
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The Moroccan carrier says flights to Doha are cancelled until June 30 and those to Dubai until May 31.
Singapore Airlines
The carrier extended its Singapore-Dubai flights suspension until May 31, while adding services on the Singapore-London Gatwick and Singapore-Melbourne routes from late March until October 24 to meet higher demand.
Turkish Airlines
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SunExpress, Turkish Airlines’ joint venture with Lufthansa, has cancelled flights to Dubai until April 30.
Wizz Air
The low-cost airline suspended flights to Israel until April 13, and to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman from mainland European destinations until mid-September. All flights to Medina have been suspended indefinitely.
Two new flavours of Pringles have been spotted in supermarkets and stores, and shoppers have been “buzzing” to try them out – though one is said to be much “better” than the other
Jess Flaherty Senior News Reporter
09:29, 21 Apr 2026
Two new flavours of Pringles have hit the supermarket shelves and shoppers are “impressed” – though one has been branded “better” than the other.
The American brand is beloved for its strong flavours, with new editions, collaborations and limited flavour releases always going down well among Pringles fans and casual shoppers alike. Recently, popular food-focused social media account New Foods UK shared an image of two new Pringles flavours to Instagram, after spotting them in Iceland stores.
The supermarket chain boasts more than 950 stores across the country, as well as a multi-award-winning online shopping service. The retailer is a hit thanks to its wide selection of budget-friendly frozen food, as well as its regular releases of new products.
Alongside an image showcasing the two new cans of Pringles – launched in collaboration with fast food giant Burger King – which come in Bacon Double Cheese XL flavour and Chicken Royale flavour, New Foods UK penned: “Trying the new Burger King Pringles from @icelandfoods Wow! The Chicken Royale flavour is the star of the show!
“Every flavour comes through – can even taste the bun with the sesame seeds too! Absolutely incredible!”
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In the comments section, fellow Instagram users were keen to share their thoughts. One person said: “Loved the chicken royale ones”.
Another said: “Wow just done the XL one and was so impressed with the flavour imitation. Buzzing to try the others now.”
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A third commented: “I need to get the XL bacon double cheeseburger ones. I seem to remember some cheeseburger pringles years ago that were amazing”.
A fourth added: “Yeah, the chicken ones are definitely the better ones”.
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The new Pringles are being sold at Iceland stores, as well as other major UK supermarkets including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland and Tesco. They’re also available via wholesalers. They’re expected to be sold until the end of September, depending on availability.
Evie Pickering, assistant brand activation manager at Pringles, said: “This exciting collaboration represents a true meeting of two iconic brands, both famous for bold flavours and an uncompromising commitment to delivering what consumers love.
“Working closely with the Burger King crew, our food development team has taken the unmistakable taste of two of the best-loved menu items and translated them into limited edition, non-HFSS Pringles, perfect for sharing.”
Popular social media account New Foods UK has cultivated a dedicated online following thanks to its consistent posts, pictures and footage highlighting all the latest sweet treats, snacks and more spotted in supermarkets and other retail stores up and down the country.
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It boasts hundreds of thousands followers across multiple social media platforms and often shares reviews and product updates, too.
Michael McLintock, chairman of ABF, said: “The board has now completed its in-depth review of the structure of ABF and has concluded that a demerger of Primark is the best way to maximise long-term returns for shareholders, reflecting Primark’s scale today and the need for a better understanding of the Food business.
If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
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In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.
This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.
Portmeirion, located on the coast of North Wales in Gwynedd, is a unique folly tourist village that was actually designed to look like a Mediterranean village – and has just celebrated its 100th anniversary.
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With its cobbled streets, brightly coloured buildings and quaint narrow alleyways, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped right into a quieter Venice.
Built between 1925 and 1975 by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion was created to capture the atmosphere of a Mediterranean village within the Welsh countryside.
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The folly village looks like an Italian town (Picture: Getty Images)
While some think the design was based on the Italian fishing village of Portofino, Williams-Ellis claimed he wanted to pay tribute to the Mediterranean atmosphere and did not have a specific location in mind.
In recent years, the small Welsh village has been gaining attention on social media, with TikTokers calling it a hidden gem and a must-visit.
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Content creator Tabby (@thejohnsontravels) described the village as ‘Little Italy but in Wales.’ Her footage showcased virtually empty streets, a stark contrast to the crowded canals of its Italian lookalike, Venice.
The village features colourful buildings and cobbled streets (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Portmeirion is stunning and if you haven’t been, you need to – a little slice of Italy,’ she wrote in the caption.
The video sparked a flurry of comments from viewers in disbelief that such a place existed in the UK.
‘I feel like I’m living in the wrong Wales because where the hell is this,’ user @risqueebookn_ joked.
Another @sheshecollectif wrote: ‘Why have I never heard of this place before.’ User @izzy.bcrossland added: ‘I think Portmeirion is the prettiest place in the whole of the UK.’
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Another TikToker @saltinourhair recorded their visit to the peaceful town. They wrote: ‘This isn’t Italy or France… It’s Portmeirion in Wales, UK.’
They urged their followers to add the Welsh village to their bucket lists, adding in the comment section: ‘I had no idea there was a place like this in the UK.’
One commenter declared it ‘the sweetest town in Wales’. Another, @henrypledger0, said: ‘[It is] well worth the visit, we stayed in one of the cottages and we were treated like royalty, food was fantastic accompanied by a harp player.’
Other content creators have declared the village ‘breathtakingly unique’ and ‘magical’.
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Portmeirion is famously known as the setting of the 1960s TV show The Prisoner. It became the backdrop for the series’ storyline about a man imprisoned in a beautiful yet bizarre village.
The village has been called ‘breathtakingly unique’ (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto))
Many have called Portmeirion a hidden gem (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
But unlike most picturesque villages in the UK, you have to pay to enter Portmeirion.
Entry costs £20 for adults during its main season (March to November), while an annual pass is available for £40 per adult and £25 for children.
Those who want to soak up the charm of Portmeirion for longer can stay overnight in the village’s various cottages, hotels, and accommodations.
The Portmeirion Hotel, the village’s flagship hotel, is rated four stars and overlooks the sandy beaches of the Dwyryd Estuary in Snowdonia, North Wales.
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It originally opened in April 1926 and has retained many of its Victorian features, including an intricate Italian fireplace and a grand mirror room, according to the website.
With 14 bedrooms to choose from, guests can enjoy fine dining at the hotel’s restaurants, a bar, a terrace, and even an open-air swimming pool.
We’ve found rooms for August 2026 from £255 per night – though prices may vary depending on when you want to stay.
You can also visit Castell Deudraeth Brasserie, a gothic-style castle often referred to as ‘the largest and most imposing single building on the Portmeirion estate’.
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More UK and Europe Venice alternatives to explore
This article was originally published in March 2025, and has been updated.
Dwayne Davis was part of a gang who set fire to a yard on Hope Street, in Port Clarence, at 12.30am on June 2, last year.
After the blaze, the 29-year-old, of Laurel Road, drove the group to Raleigh Road where he stood and watched a caravan be set alight.
He was identified from CCTV footage through his clothing and trainers.
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On Monday (April 20), Davis appeared at Teesside Crown Court where he was sentenced to 10 years and five months for two counts of arson.
He pleaded not guilty to both offences at an earlier hearing and was convicted during a trial.
Police were first alerted to the flames at the scrap yard when an on-duty officer spotted the flames and alerted Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade.
The force said it was quickly established that the fires had been ignited deliberately inside the vehicles as well as around various locations in the yard.
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An investigation was launched, with officers reviewing CCTV capturing a grey car travelling along Norton Avenue and onto Raleigh Road. The driver of the vehicle was Davis.
Davis could be identified from a small white patch on the pocket of his trousers and white lines on the sides of his trainers.
The court heard how footage captured an individual putting their hand through the back windscreen of a car that had the glass removed and pulling out a green container.
Approximately 20 seconds later it is on fire. Davis, who had been standing watching, then gets back into the vehicle and drives away.
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In the early hours of June 2, Davis was arrested at a petrol station on Durham Road. After being taken to custody for interview, he replied no comment to the questions asked by detectives.
Investigating officer Detective Inspector Sarah Beadle said: “Our investigation quickly identified Davis as the driver of the vehicle that travelled to the scrap yard and Raleigh Road to assist others in setting the caravan and the scrap yard alight.
“This was through the CCTV footage that we obtained and reviewed. Davis was identifiable through the clothing he was wearing at the time of the arson, and he could also be seen entering his property in the same clothes.
“Despite the evidence against Davis, he refused to admit to what he had done however a jury saw through his lies and he will now face the consequences by spending time behind bars.”
Netflix’s new psychological thriller Unchosen tells the story of Rosie, who begins to question her life inside a Christian sect.
Katie Palmer Senior TV Reporter for Screen Time
08:53, 21 Apr 2026
Unchosen has just landed on Netflix and the unsettling thriller, which is one of many thrillers on the platform, delves into wife and mother Rosie’s disturbingly sinister existence within a fictional Christian sect.
The Netflix limited series follows Rosie as she starts to doubt her existence within the controlling cult following an encounter with an escaped prisoner named Sam.
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As she starts to question whom she can genuinely rely upon, viewers learn more about Rosie’s domestic situation when sinister revelations surface about those she previously believed she understood.
Packed with unexpected plot developments, the thriller looks set to become a massive success for the streaming platform.
Here’s everything you need to know about the impressive cast.
Adam serves as Rosie’s spouse in the programme and is portrayed by Asa Butterfield, a 29 year old English actor who rose to prominence in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
He subsequently headlined Netflix’s popular series Sex Education, and has appeared in the science-fiction picture Ender’s Game. He also harbours a keen interest in creating and producing music.
Rosie – Molly Windsor
Rosie is a dedicated wife and mother caught between two contrasting realities, and is brought to life by Molly Windsor, a 28 year old performer from Nottingham.
Her breakout performance came in the Channel 4 film The Unloved, though she’s most recognised for her part in the BBC limited series Three Girls, which earned her the 2018 BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress.
Sam – Fra Fee
Sam is a fugitive who tempts Rosie with promises of a brighter future, portrayed by Fra Fee, the 38 year old Northern Irish actor and singer.
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He’s perhaps most recognised for his portrayal of Courfeyrac in the 2012 film version of Les Misérables, as well as his turn as Kazi in the Disney+ Marvel Cinematic Universe series Hawkeye.
Mr Phillips – Christopher Eccleston
Mr Phillips leads the cult while concealing numerous sinister secrets, brought to life by Christopher Eccleston.
The 62 year old English performer is widely celebrated for embodying the ninth Doctor in Doctor Who.
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The Salford native has since featured in Let Him Have It, Our Friends in the North and Dodger.
Mrs Phillips – Siobhan Finneran
Mrs Phillips serves as the cult leader’s spouse, portrayed by Siobhan Finneran, a 59 year old actress hailing from Oldham.
She’s particularly recognised for her work in Coronation Street, Benidorm and her portrayal of Clare, a recovering heroin addict, in Happy Valley.
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Hannah – Alexa Davies
Hannah is amongst Rosie’s companions in the series, wed to Adam’s brother Isaac, and is brought to life by Alexa Davies, a Welsh actress widely known for her role as Aretha in Raised by Wolves.
Viewers might also recall her as the younger Rosie in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Grace – Olivia Pickering
Grace is the hard-of-hearing daughter of Rosie and Adam, played by young actress Olivia Pickering.
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The emerging talent previously appeared in the short film Firefly.
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Anthony – Rory Wilmot
Anthony is Isaac’s son in the series and is portrayed by Rory Wilmot, a young performer who has appeared in FBI: International.
He has also secured the role of Neville Longbottom in the forthcoming Harry Potter series.
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Mason – Ethan Davidson
Mason is Sam’s sibling in the series and is portrayed by Ethan Davidson, a Belfast-based performer.
Unchosen represents his first major production, though he has previously appeared in several short films.
Isaac – Aston McAuley
Isaac is Adam’s sibling and the two share a troubled relationship.
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He is portrayed by Aston McAuley, whose screen credits include BBC’s Rebus, Netflix’s Behind Her Eyes, Rocketman, Endeavour and Restless.
The road had to be closed while the lorry was removed.
10:49, 20 Apr 2026Updated 12:46, 20 Apr 2026
A lorry struck a railway bridge near a Cambridgeshire city causing a road closure to be put in place. Cambridgeshire Police were called to the railway bridge at Queen Adelaide Way near Ely at 12.07pm on Saturday, April 18, following reports of a lorry crashing into the bridge.
The British Transport Police and Network Rail were contacted about the incident. A road closure was put in place for a short time while the vehicle was removed. Structural engineers also attended.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “A foreign registered lorry collided with the railway bridge at Queen Adelaide Way. We were called at 12.07pm on Saturday, April 18.
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“The British Transport Police and Network Rail were contacted who looked at the bridge. The vehicle was recovered.”
A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of a vehicle stuck under a rail over road bridge in Ely at around 12.15pm on Saturday 18 April. The road was closed for a short time while the vehicle was removed and structural engineers attended the scene.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We received reports of a lorry striking the railway bridge on Queen Adelaide Way in Ely, Cambridgeshire at 12:32pm on Saturday 18 April, which led to delays and disruption to train services. Our teams attended the site promptly and, following inspections, confirmed there was no damage to the structure. Train services were able to resume safely by 3:33pm.”
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Video footage appeared to capture a number of males being handcuffed as scuffles broke out following the match
Footage appears to show Manchester City fans clashing with police at match vs Arsenal
Video footage appeared to show a number of football fans being detained by police as scuffles broke out following the Manchester City v Arsenal game.
The clips were filmed after the match at the Etihad on Sunday (April 19). The first clip captured frantic scenes as officers shouted ‘get back’ as a man wearing a Manchester City shirt was detained against a fence.
A number of police officers then held the man as he was put in handcuffs. A scuffle between another male and an officer appeared to break out nearby as police horses separated those involved in the chaotic scenes from the walking crowd.
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A further clip then appeared to show an officer detaining another male to the ground. This male was placed in handcuffs surrounded by three officers.
Clips then captured another male being detained in an incident which looked to be outside a pub. Chants of ‘City, City’ can be heard in the background throughout the videos.
It has not been confirmed whether any of the males were arrested. Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for further details.
Man City secured a 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday with goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland. The win puts the Blues back in control of the title race if they beat Burnley on Wednesday, placing them at the top of the league with five games remaining.
Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, said: “Alongside falling unemployment, the number of people not actively seeking work increased, with data suggesting fewer students seeking work alongside their studies.”
‘Over two thousand cults exist in the United Kingdom.’
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Seconds after pressing play on the first episode of Netflix’s new drama Unchosen, I could already feel chills creeping up my spine when these words appeared on the screen.
I know very little about cults. When I hear the word, I instantly think of horrific historical cult leaders like Charles Manson, or Klaus growing a hippie cult in The Umbrella Academy. But in my ignorance, the idea of thousands of cults existing in 2026 shocked me to my core.
Inspired by real cults that exist in the UK, Unchosen tells the story of the fictional Fellowship of the Divine, a secluded Christian sect in England.
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The women’s roles are to be demure homemakers, looking after their children and caring for their husbands. The men’s roles are to provide and be the leaders for their families. And they’re all expected to lead devout lives dedicated to the tenets of their religion.
Rosie’s entire world is turned upside down when she starts to question the community she’s known here whole life (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)
She’s married to Adam, a pious man with a dark streak he’s kept concealed from his wife (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)
Key details about Unchosen
When is it out? The whole series is released on Tuesday April 21 on Netflix.
How many episodes are there? There are six episodes in total.
Who’s in the cast? The lead stars are Molly Windsor, Fra Fee, Asa Buttefield, Christopher Eccleston and Siobhan Finneran.
Who created Unchosen? The series was written by Julie Gearey, who previously created the TV series Intergalactic and has written on shows including Prisoners Wives, Coronation Street and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.
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At the beginning of the series, the Fellowship is painted as a picture of peace and serenity, with smiles all around and laughing children playing together. But everything changes when a mysterious outsider called Sam (Fra Fee) enters their community and upends their lives.
Sam is an ex-convict with a violent past, whom Rosie (Molly) feels an instant gravitational pull towards when they inadvertently cross paths. Their connection is undeniable from the start, and as time goes on, the deep-rooted cracks in her marriage to Adam (Asa) deepen.
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The Fellowship is led by Mr Phillips (Christopher), a charismatic man with the power to wield unrestrained influence over his followers, convincing them that they are the ‘Chosen’, and that anyone who isn’t in their community is ‘Unchosen’.
That same philosophy goes for anyone who chooses to renounce their cult. They are seen as unworthy, ungodly, are treated as though they’re the scum of the earth, and are forced to cut off all contact with their friends and family as they’re cruelly discarded.
Sam’s arrival might help Rosie realise that her sheltered life was not the idyllic utopia she thought it was, but the horrors within the Fellowship were there all along. This society is run on a culture of coercive control, where brutality and abuse take place behind closed doors.
Sam changes everything when he comes into their lives (Picture: Rekha Garton/Netflix)
Mr Phillips wields unrestrained power over the Fellowship (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)
When Netflix released the trailer for Unchosen, TV fans were hooked right away, drawing instant parallels with films and TV shows like Midsommar and The Handmaid’s Tale. Nonetheless, it’s so rare to imagine a story like this set in modern-day England, which makes the reality around which this fictional tale is based feel that much more haunting.
Through Rosie’s eyes, I could see how someone who has only ever known this life would accept all she’s ever been told, and fear the unknown. Molly’s earnest performance tugged on my heartstrings, even when she frustratingly kept being drawn back into her toxic society.
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That frustration made me feel even more proud of her when she stood up for herself and called out behaviour that was not ok, knowing that doing so could at the least cause shame for her family, and at the most result in her being ostracised and separated from her daughter, Grace (Olivia Pickering).
The most impactful dramas on TV aren’t just a one-off thrill. They stay with you when the final episode has ended, making you question what you knew about certain parts of life, or even yourself. Unchosen demonstrates how important it is to look beyond the surface, delving deep until you discover what’s really bubbling underneath.
There’s more to Mrs Phillips than meets the eye (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)
Can Sam be trusted, or is he just a master manipulator? (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)
Rosie, a reserved and dutiful wife, is willing to rebel to do what’s morally right. Sam, a former prisoner, has kindness in his heart, but has also spent years refining his own skills of manipulation to ensure his survival. Adam, one of the most pious followers of their religion, is secretly harbouring a ruthless streak that his wife has never seen.
It’s plain to see that Mr Phillips is a dark and menacing figure. At first, his wife, Mrs Phillips (Siobhan Finneran), appears as though she is too – but the women in this series are not to be underestimated.
Verdict on Unchosen
Unchosen is, at times, a chilling watch, but you’ll be hooked from start to finish. And left with a desperate need to jump into some dark and fascinating internet rabbit holes.
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The horrifying violence inflicted by men in the drama is, at times, sadly no surprise, given the devastating world that we live in, but it is haunting nonetheless. I felt particularly unsettled watching Asa play such a sinister character, when I’ve come to know him so well as the kind-hearted Otis from Sex Education.
Fra’s masterfully cunning performance had me second-guessing Sam at every turn, changing my mind over whether I believed he had sincere intentions or was using Rosie for his own gain.
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The creative brains behind Unchosen couldn’t have chosen a better person to play a cult leader than Doctor Who star Christopher, with the nefarious air that Mr Phillips brings into every room he enters. And Siobhan stole every scene as Mrs Phillips, reminding me why I loved watching her so much as the sharp-tongued Miss O’Brien in Downton Abbey.
The thriller is coming out during what’s become an important release window for Netflix in the UK. In April 2024, the streaming platform launched the critically-acclaimed Baby Reindeer. In March 2025, Adolescence came out and became a global phenomenon.
Now, in April 2026, it’s Unchosen’s turn. Your next must-watch series has arrived – and you’re going to struggle not to binge it in one go.
Unchosen is available to stream from today on Netflix.
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