Bella Ramsey is set to lead the upcoming Channel 4 psychological thriller Maya, created by Daisy Haggard. The new series follows the success of The Last of Us season two and marks another major television role for Ramsey. The show, a six-part drama, centers on a mother and daughter forced to flee London under witness protection, starting a new life in rural Scotland while the threat of danger continues to loom. Ramsey plays the titular role of Maya, while Haggard stars as her mother, Anna.
Daisy Haggard not only created the series but will also make her directorial debut with Maya, co-directing alongside Jamie Donoughue, known for his work on Doctor Who and The Last Kingdom. Haggard expressed that she had always envisioned Ramsey in the lead role, saying she wrote the character of Maya with the actor in mind from the very beginning. She described Ramsey as “pure magic” and said she felt incredibly lucky to have them involved.
Maya is described as a darkly comedic psychological thriller that maintains a strong emotional core. The show focuses on family, survival, and the intense bond between a mother and daughter, while also exploring serious themes such as predatory male behavior. Ramsey praised the writing, calling the characters vivid and the dialogue witty and darkly funny. She also expressed excitement about sharing the screen with Haggard.
Produced by Two Brothers Pictures, the company behind acclaimed shows like Fleabag, The Tourist, and Boat Story, the series will be filmed entirely in Scotland later this year. The production team includes Harry and Jack Williams, Sarah Hammond, Daisy Mount, and Alex Mercer as executive producers, alongside Haggard. Jamie Donoughue will also serve as a co-executive producer, with Kenny Tanner producing and Shaheen Baig leading casting.
Channel 4’s Ollie Madden and Gemma Boswell are backing the project, with the creators confident in their casting choice. Mercer and Mount praised Ramsey as “one of the most incredible talents of their generation,” noting that she was always the intended choice for Maya. They highlighted the emotional depth of the story, pointing to the unique relationship between Maya and Anna as the central focus of the show.
