Channel 4’s Up To No Good Gives Glenn Close the Killer Grandma Role of Her Dreams
- Je-Ree
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Glenn Close is at her best when she is being absolutely terrifying. Whether she’s boiling a bunny or hunting dalmatians, she has cornered the market on "elegant woman you definitely shouldn't leave your kids with." Now, Channel 4 is leaning into that energy with its upcoming six-part drama, Up To No Good, where Close plays a serial killer who uses senior-citizen invisibility as her ultimate superpower.
Originally announced under the working title Maud, the series is based on the darkly comedic short stories by Swedish author Helene Tursten: An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good and An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed. Set in London, the story follows Maud Oldcastle, a woman who has spent decades playing the dutiful sister but has finally decided that her "second act" involves a bit of light recreational murder.
The Cast: British Royalty Meets a Hollywood Icon
While Close is the undeniable main event, the ensemble cast is frankly showing off. Claudia Jessie (Bridgerton) stars as
Hannah, a young detective who starts to suspect that the frail old lady in 4B might actually be a menace to society. Joining her are:
Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey) as Maud’s sister, Charlotte.
Meera Syal (The Wheel of Time) as Margaret.
Richard E. Grant, Iain Glen, and Tanya Reynolds in newly confirmed roles.
Why You Should Care
This isn't your typical "cozy mystery" where a grandma solves crimes over tea and scones. Maud is the crime. The series is being penned by the playwright duo Nina and Moses Raine, whose background in sharp, witty stage dramas suggests this will be a biting exploration of ageism and the things people get away with when the world stops looking at them.
With filming already underway in London, Up To No Good is shaping up to be the most "Channel 4" project in years: daring, slightly uncomfortable, and utterly obsessed with a complicated lead. If you've ever wanted to see a legendary actress trade her Oscar-worthy gowns for a killer’s instincts, this is your new favorite show.
What are your thoughts on Glenn Close playing a geriatric assassin? Let us know in the comments!