Sky Greenlights Five-Part Series Inheritance Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Sky has announced a new five-part limited series, Inheritance, from writer and actor Karla Crome, with BAFTA-nominee Gugu Mbatha-Raw taking on a leading role. The series begins filming this month in the UK and Jamaica, promising a gripping blend of historical intrigue and contemporary drama.

Joining Mbatha-Raw in the cast are Jonny Lee Miller (Covenant), Sheldon Shepherd (Better Mus’ Come), and Bel Powley (A Small Light), with Storm Saulter (Sprinter) directing. Produced by Snowed-In Productions in collaboration with Sky Studios, Inheritance explores the unsettling legacy of colonialism through an intense, genre-blending narrative.

The story follows Claudia, played by Mbatha-Raw, a young biracial lawyer who travels to Jamaica to contest an inheritance claim made by local resident Cudjoe East (Shepherd) against Oliver Connaught (Lee Miller), a wealthy aristocrat. Claudia's journey takes a dark turn when she discovers the contested estate includes Hope Hill, a plantation tied to her nightmares. As Claudia and Oliver dig deeper, they unravel connections between the plantation’s grim history and modern injustices.

Described as an “ambitious, genre-bending” series, Inheritance juxtaposes colonial-era horrors with contemporary struggles, all set against the vibrant backdrop of the Caribbean.

The series boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Karla Crome, Storm Saulter, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Kate Ogborn serves as the series producer, with Roxanne Harvey leading development. Sky Studios’ Meghan Lyvers praised the project as a “bold, original, and provocative story,” emphasizing the stellar cast and creative team behind it.

Inheritance will air on Sky in the UK and Ireland, with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution managing international sales.

“This project is deeply personal,” said Crome. “It’s an honor to see Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jonny Lee Miller, and Sheldon Shepherd bring these characters to life under Storm Saulter’s evocative direction. I’m excited to share this journey with audiences.”

Keep an eye out for Inheritance as it delves into a hauntingly relevant story that challenges the enduring echoes of colonialism.