BBC’s ‘The Rapture’ Release Date and Air Time

Fans of psychological thrillers have a new series to look forward to, and its premise couldn’t be more timely. ‘The Rapture’ premieres on BBC One this weekend, adapting Liz Jensen’s bestselling novel with a talented cast that features Ruth Madeley, India Amarteifio, and Iwan Rheon.

After years of anticipation, the series is finally set to debut, with a first look trailer and release window confirmed. Here’s everything you need to know about the release date, air time, and what to expect from the premiere.

‘The Rapture’ airs Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 9pm on BBC One, with all five episodes expected to follow a weekly broadcast schedule.

Additionally, the series will be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, allowing UK viewers to catch up or binge-watch once the episodes are released.

The series was first announced in April 2023, marking the end of a multi-year wait for fans of Jensen’s work.

Filming took place in Wales in October 2025, with Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, overseeing production.

The narrative follows forensic psychologist Gabs Fox, portrayed by Madeley, who takes a job at Oxsmith, a high-security psychiatric hospital, as she attempts to rebuild her career and life after a tragic car accident.

This accident, which resulted in her husband’s death and left her in a wheelchair, adds a deeply personal layer to her choice of assignment.

At Oxsmith, she is assigned to Bethany Krall, a 17-year-old patient played by Amarteifio, who was convicted of murdering her mother, Carys Krall, yet maintains her innocence.

Bethany also claims to possess psychic abilities, insisting she can predict the future, leading the series to explore whether Gabs will believe her or if something far more sinister is at play.

In addition to Madeley and Amarteifio, the cast includes Sam Hazeldine as Leonard, Bethany’s estranged father, who leads Faith Way, a popular religious movement. The family’s drama is complicated by the murder of Leonard’s wife, adding public scrutiny to their situation.

Iwan Rheon plays Dick Carwyn alongside Madeley’s Dr. Gabrielle Fox, with the ensemble also featuring Jack Farthing, Siena Kelly, Ruth Jones, and Stephen Campbell Moore, among others.

The series is penned by Bryony Kimmings, known for the festive rom-com ‘Last Christmas’ from 2019, alongside Rebecca Manley, and directed by Eva Sigurđardóttir and Jennifer Perrott.

Adapted from Liz Jensen’s 2009 novel of the same name, the BBC describes the adaptation as a high-stakes thriller filled with tension.

Set during a summer characterized by extreme heat, the story aligns eerily with current weather patterns, enhancing its relevance.

The original synopsis of the book portrays Gabrielle Fox as a woman trying to rebuild her life after a devastating accident, only to find herself assigned to a patient she fears may be a grave mistake.

Longtime readers have labeled the novel as apocalyptic and unputdownable, and this intensity seems to be a significant draw for the television adaptation as it prepares for its BBC One debut.

With a storyline rich in psychic warnings, family secrets, and a hospital that may harbor dangerous patients, ‘The Rapture’ is poised to spark conversations this summer. Do you believe Bethany Krall’s claims about her powers, or is there something even more bizarre happening at Oxsmith?