Season 1
- Keeley Hawes as Dr. Susannah Zellaby
- Max Beesley ( Survivors ) as DCI Paul Haynes
- Aisling Loftus as Zoë Moran
- Lara Rossi as Jodie Blake
- Synnove Karlsen as Cassie Stone
- Lewis Reeves as Curtis Saunders
- Ukweli Roach as Tom Cork
- India Amarteifio as Nora Randall
- Mark Dexter as Stewart McLean
- Amy Cudden as Sarah McLean
Midwich Cuckoos (2022) [Season 1, Episode 1]
Bad Things
Shown 2nd June 2022
This is set in the modern day, in a little English village named Midwich. It has not changed much since the 1950s, when the original book was written. There is one major change - the demographics. There are three black women and one South Asian, while in reality it would be the other way around.
Dr. Susannah Zellaby ( Keeley Hawes ) goes off to London to have a blind date with a rich man. When she tries to get home, she discovers that the town of Midwich has been sealed off. Luckily she knows the local police chief, DCI Paul Haynes (Max Beesley - Survivors ), who explains the situation. A mysterious force is knocking out anyone who approaches the town, as well as any electronic devices. Despite knowing this, the powers that be send in a helicopter - with predictable results.
Midwich Cuckoos (2022) [Season 1, Episode 2]
In This Together
Shown 2nd June 2022
DCI Paul Haynes (Max Beesley - Survivors ) and the securocrats give the women of childbearing age, and their partners, a secret briefing. Just like the SAS officer in Lifeforce , they divulge secret information and then hope that nobody will leak it. Luckily Dr. Susannah Zellaby ( Keeley Hawes ) is around, to talk the locals into signing a non-disclosure agreement.
All the women were somehow impregnated during the blackout. The foetuses all have the mothers' DNA, but none for a father.
When the book was written, abortion was not an option. Now it is the first thing that the victims consider. However, just like the alien pregnancy in Extant - or the demonic pregnancy in The Magicians - the parasite has the power to influence its host.
Midwich Cuckoos (2022) [Season 1, Episode 3]
The Hive
Shown 2nd June 2022
This is set three years after the previous episode. Dr. Susannah Zellaby ( Keeley Hawes ) finally gets to do her thing, and show off her skills as a psychologist. She subjects the creepy kids to a battery of tests. Not only are they old enough to talk, they can apparently communicate telepathically.
DCI Paul Haynes (Max Beesley - Survivors ) discovers that somehow the securocrats who controlled the perimeter somehow failed to keep track of one of the women of childbearing age. Yes, there is an extra girl that was previously unregistered. Worse than that, the securocrats cannot keep their hospital secure.
The children also exhibit telekinetic powers. They are not kindly peace-loving telepaths, like the Crysalids - they have a nasty streak, towards dogs and their own parents, which is not a good combination with telekinesis.
Midwich Cuckoos (2022) [Season 1, Episode 4]
Hide and Seek
Shown 2nd June 2022
Dr. Susannah Zellaby ( Keeley Hawes ) realises that the children are linked to a number of violent incidents. She tries to investigate, but the children are resistant. Worse, they have a telepathic link and they share their dreams.
DCI Paul Haynes (Max Beesley - Survivors ) discovers that the children are not merely fantasists. They have killed at least one person that he knows off.
Midwich Cuckoos (2022) [Season 1, Episode 5]
Why Are You Lying?
Shown 2nd June 2022
Two of the parents cannot take the stress. They plan to abandon their cuckoo, and do a runner.
Midwich Cuckoos (2022) [Season 1, Episode 6]
Not An Ice Cream
Shown 2nd June 2022
This is set two years after the events of the previous episode. The cuckoos may be five years old, but they look like ten-year-olds.
Two of the cuckoos consent to be tested by the government goon (Samuel West - ) at a military base outside the town limits. Dr. Susannah Zellaby ( Keeley Hawes ) and DCI Paul Haynes (Max Beesley - Survivors ) are the creatures' guardians.
The angry father is now living in a camper van. That said, he is still within the town limits. Perhaps this is only on weekends, when he has visits from his true-born son. The son gets caught up in the Cuckoos' plot, and the father tries to save him.
Midwich Cuckoos (2022) [Season 1, Episode 7]
Departure
Shown 2nd June 2022
The government goon (Samuel West - ) has the town sealed off by his tame military unit. It seems the Cuckoos are now strong enough for the next stage in their plan of world conquest.
Dr. Susannah Zellaby ( Keeley Hawes ) and DCI Paul Haynes (Max Beesley - Survivors ) plot to stop the creatures from leaving the town. Somehow, the police detective is an expert at mixing ANFO explosives and creating remote triggers.
