The Imposter Channel 5: Cast, Episodes, Reviews & More

Few TV dramas promise family betrayal quite like Channel 5’s The Imposter, a four-part thriller that landed with a splash in December 2025. Starring Kym Marsh and Jackie Woodburne in a tale of a long-lost daughter and a contested seaside hotel, it has already sparked water-cooler debates. Here’s everything you need to decide whether to add it to your watchlist.

Number of episodes: 4 ·
Network: Channel 5 (UK) / Network 10 (Australia) ·
Release year: 2025 ·
Starring: Kym Marsh, Jackie Woodburne ·
Genre: Drama & Soaps

Eight key facts set the stage for Channel 5’s latest thriller, which blends soap-opera dynamics with a whodunit atmosphere.

What is The Imposter about on Channel 5?

Setting and Premise

• The Imposter is set at a splashy seaside hotel in coastal Victoria, Australia (Tom’s Guide).
• The story centers on a bitter family dispute over the hotel’s future, complicated by the sudden arrival of a woman claiming to be a long-lost daughter (Tom’s Guide).
• Helen O’Riley, the matriarch, gave up a child for adoption more than 40 years ago (TV Guide).

Character Relationships

• Simon, the eldest sibling played by Don Hany, is initially set to inherit the hotel (Freely).
• Amanda, played by Kym Marsh, arrives claiming to be Helen’s secret daughter, threatening the family deal (Freely).
• The cast includes several iconic soap actresses, creating a web of alliances and betrayals (TV Guide).

Is Amanda Helen’s Daughter?

• Multiple sources confirm Amanda is indeed the daughter Helen gave up for adoption, though the exact circumstances are wrapped in suspense (Freely).
• DVDfever lists Kym Marsh as Amanda, the secret daughter (DVDfever).
• The dramatic question is not whether she is family, but what her true motives are — and whether the hotel deal will survive her arrival.

What this means: The central “imposter” label applies more to Amanda’s intentions than her identity. The series asks viewers to question every character’s loyalty, not just the newcomer’s.

Who is the cast of The Imposter on Channel 5?

Main Cast

• Kym Marsh (formerly of Corrie and Waterloo Road) plays Amanda — morally ambiguous, secretive, and the catalyst for the drama (TV Guide).
• Jackie Woodburne (Neighbours’ Susan Kennedy) plays Helen O’Riley, the matriarch running the hotel in Melbourne (Freely).
• Don Hany (East West 101) plays Simon, the eldest sibling and a key rival (Freely).
• Dannii Minogue (singer and actress) rounds out the main cast in a significant role (TV Guide).

Supporting Cast

• Additional cast members include other family members and hotel staff, though full details are not yet widely published.
• The series was created by Jason Herbison, a veteran writer from Neighbours, and directed by Kate Kendall (DVDfever).

The pattern: Herbison and Kendall bring soap-opera expertise to a thriller format, knowingly leveraging the genre’s strengths — recognizable faces, tight emotional stakes, and cliffhanger pacing.

How many episodes are in The Imposter Channel 5?

Episode Guide

• The Imposter consists of 4 episodes (TV Guide).
• Each episode runs approximately 46 minutes (Tom’s Guide).
• The series aired over four consecutive nights, from Monday 15 December to Thursday 18 December 2025 (Freely).

How to Watch

• In the UK, it aired on Channel 5 at 9pm, with all episodes available free on demand via My5 shortly after broadcast (Tom’s Guide).
• In Australia, the series aired on Network 10. Streaming availability may vary by region.
• For international viewers, a VPN may be required to access My5 or Network 10 streams.

The catch: The condensed release schedule (four nights in a row) rewards bingeing but leaves little room for word-of-mouth to build. If you missed the broadcast, My5 is your best bet.

Is The Imposter Channel 5 worth watching?

Critical Reception

• TV Guide calls it “as bonkers as Channel 5 thrillers get” and a “soapy thriller” that requires suspended disbelief (TV Guide).
• DVDfever gave it a mixed review, with the headline “My BRUTALLY HONEST REVIEW of THE IMPOSTER” — rating it two out of five popcorns (DVDfever).
• IMDb user reviews are polarized, with some calling it “weak” and others enjoying the over-the-top drama (DVDfever).

Audience Verdict

• Good Housekeeping described the series as “a twisted family betrayal” — a tagline that captures its core appeal (Good Housekeeping).
• Viewer ratings on IMDb remain mixed, though the show has a loyal following among fans of soapy thrillers.

The trade-off: If you treat The Imposter as a glossy, soapy diversion, it delivers. If you’re looking for a tightly plotted, logical thriller, you may find the cliffhangers more groan-worthy than gripping.

Is there a season 2 of The Imposter?

Renewal Status

• As of early 2026, there has been no official announcement regarding a season 2 (TV Guide).
• The series was conceived as a mini-series, but the open-ended finale leaves room for continuation.
• No cancellation has been confirmed either.

Possibilities

• Given the strong cast and low production costs (a single hotel location), a second season could be greenlit if ratings performed well on My5 and Network 10.
• Creator Jason Herbison has not publicly commented on future plans.

The implication: For now, treat The Imposter as a self-contained story. If you need closure, the four episodes deliver a full arc — but a sequel remains possible if demand surges.

Production details shape the series’ feel: a compact shoot, experienced soap writers, and a clear genre target.

“The Imposter is as bonkers as Channel 5 thrillers get — but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

— TV Guide

“A twisted family betrayal.”

— Good Housekeeping

“Quite a weak series from Channel 5.”

— IMDb user review (via DVDfever)

The Imposter is unapologetically soapy, leaning into its cast’s heritage and its own pulp ambitions. For UK viewers looking for a quick, escapist watch over a long winter evening, the four-part format is ideal. For Australian audiences on Network 10, it offers a familiar face in Jackie Woodburne and a setting that feels close to home. The choice is clear: if you can suspend disbelief and enjoy melodrama with a beachfront view, The Imposter delivers exactly what it promises. If you demand airtight plotting and subtle character work, look elsewhere.