Bella Ramsey Takes the Lead in Maya, a Twisted New UK Witness Protection Drama You Won’t Want to Miss

If you thought Bella Ramsey was done stealing the show after slaying it in The Last of Us, think again. The rising British star is back and ready to shake things up once more, this time in a brand new UK drama that promises equal parts suspense, snark, and emotional gut punches. The upcoming Channel 4 series Maya throws Bella into the chaotic world of witness protection, and trust us, it is not your average hideout-in-a-small-town snoozefest.

Written by Daisy Haggard, who also co-stars and directs, Maya is shaping up to be one of the most buzzworthy British dramas on the horizon. Whether you are here for Bella’s ever-impressive acting chops, a twisted plot packed with dark humor, or just looking for your next TV obsession, you are in the right place. Let’s break down what makes Maya the show everyone will be talking about.

A Plot With Bite: What Is Maya About?

Maya is not your typical sleepy countryside crime drama. The story centers on Anna and her teenage daughter Maya, played by Daisy Haggard and Bella Ramsey, who are shoved into witness protection after fleeing a violent and terrifying situation in London. Sounds simple? It is not.

Once relocated to a remote Scottish town (because of course they are), the duo attempts to build new lives under fake identities. But here’s the twist. The threats they were running from have not magically disappeared. In fact, a pair of very determined hitmen are still on their trail and they are not the worst thing lurking in the shadows.

The show teases a mix of thriller intensity with biting humor and a deep mother daughter bond that grounds the story. Think Killing Eve meets Broadchurch but with more teenage sarcasm and some existential dread sprinkled in for flavor.

Bella Ramsey as Maya: A Perfect Match for Chaos

Bella Ramsey is no stranger to gritty roles and emotionally charged performances. After captivating audiences as Ellie in The Last of Us and Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, this feels like the next natural evolution for her career.

In Maya, Ramsey plays a teenager navigating a life uprooted by violence, secrecy, and identity confusion. It is moody. It is messy. And according to both Bella and Daisy, it is also wickedly funny and dark in the best way possible. Bella herself has said she was drawn to the script because it felt “so alive, nuanced, and scarily dark.” Same, Bella. Same.

Daisy Haggard Is Doing It All: Creator, Director, Star

Daisy Haggard is wearing all the hats for this project. She created and wrote the show, co-directs it, and plays Anna, the mother desperately trying to keep her daughter safe while dealing with her own unraveling psyche.

If you are familiar with Haggard’s previous work in Back to Life or Breeders, then you know she thrives in that grey area where comedy, trauma, and deeply awkward human behavior collide. With Maya, she is bringing all that experience to the table and then some. And did we mention this is her directorial debut? Someone give this woman a medal. Or at least a very fancy coffee.

Filming, Release Date, and Where to Watch

Production for Maya is set to begin in Scotland later in 2025. So yes, we are all going to have to practice the ancient art of patience. Channel 4 will air the series in the UK, and with buzz already building, do not be surprised if it lands on a major international streaming platform too.

Each episode will run for about an hour and the series will have six episodes total. Enough to binge in a weekend but just short enough to leave you cursing the screen when it ends. Classic.

Why Maya Should Be on Your Radar

So why should you care about Maya?

First, Bella Ramsey. If you have watched her work, you already know she brings emotional depth and no-nonsense charisma to every role. Second, the combination of thriller, dark comedy, and emotionally rich storytelling makes Maya stand out from the crowd of predictable crime dramas. Third, you get Daisy Haggard’s brilliant writing and fearless direction steering the ship.

Also, let’s be real. A show about hiding from hitmen in rural Scotland, with awkward family dynamics and psychological tension? That is not something you scroll past on your recommended list.

Maya Might Just Be Your Next Obsession

Maya promises to be everything fans of high stakes dramas have been waiting for. With Bella Ramsey leading the charge and Daisy Haggard pulling the creative strings, this series is set to deliver suspense, dark humor, emotional grit, and more than a few unexpected turns.

Whether you are a Bella superfan, a sucker for UK thrillers, or just tired of bland TV, Maya is definitely one to watch. Keep your eyes peeled for its release and maybe start practicing your Scottish accent in the meantime. Just for fun.

If you want to stay updated on casting news, release dates, and behind the scenes scoops, hit that follow or bookmark button. We will be watching this one closely and so should you.