Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Channel 4 drama Hunting Alice Bell follows a woman targeted by online trolls
The six-part Channel 4 drama Hunting Alice Bell stars Alexandra Roach as Fran, a stepmother with a new baby who works at a leisure centre.
After Fran appears on local TV, online conspiracy theorists accuse her of being Alice Bell, a woman linked to a serial killer who has been hiding for 15 years.
The claims rely on a supposed 74% facial-recognition match, which the drama presents as part of its satire of online misinformation.
Vigilantes gather outside Fran's home, but the police come because someone has reported her to social services, not to deal with the crowd.
Near the end of the opening episode, Amanda Abbington appears as another woman accused of being Alice Bell.
The twist suggests that many women have faced the same accusation, and the series continues with them set to fight back.
Channel 4’s six-part drama Hunting Alice Bell follows Fran Da Silva, a woman targeted by online trolls who claim she is a fugitive called Alice Bell.
Alexandra Roach plays Fran, a stepmother of two teenagers who has a baby with her husband, Nick.
An online conspiracy theorist called True Crime Buster leads the campaign against Fran.
The drama also stars Simon Pegg as Jason Nash, a murderous anaesthetist and Alice Bell’s former boyfriend.
Reviews differed on the series’ execution, with one calling it a hot mess and another saying it lacked credibility.
- Who
- Fran Da Silva, played by Alexandra Roach, is targeted by online trolls.
- What
- A six-part Channel 4 drama follows a campaign claiming Fran is Alice Bell, a woman linked to a serial killer.
- When
- The articles were published on 11 November 2026. The drama’s story takes place several years after Alice Bell’s escape.
- Where
- The story centres on Fran and her family in a community where she is publicly accused online.
- Why
- An online conspiracy theorist decides Fran is Alice Bell. The articles say facial recognition software is claimed to show a 74 per cent match.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Alice Bell was in hiding, according to the Daily Mail review.
Fran Da Silva’s life changes when an online campaign identifies her as Alice Bell.
Fran’s family faces harassment, and a mob gathers outside their home.
- Series format
- Six-part drama
- Broadcaster
- Channel 4
- Fran Da Silva
- Played by Alexandra Roach
- Jason Nash
- Played by Simon Pegg
- Facial-recognition claim
- 74 per cent match
- Online orchestrator
- True Crime Buster
2 sources
What people are saying
Crime thriller? Social commentary? Nightmare fantasy? Who knows...
It’s punchy and compelling in its implausible way.
I am not Alice Bell