The listeners is set to provoke and intrigue in equal measure when it launches on BBC One this week.

The new drama in four parts explores our human quest for answers, the rise of conspiracy culture in the West, and the need for community and connection in an increasingly polarized age.

Lindsay Salt, director of drama at the BBC, described it as “a gripping story brought to life in this captivating adaptation that blends a sense of the unknown with the need for human connectivity.”

Based on a book by Canadian writer Jordan Tannahill, the author says above all that it is about a woman who searches for answers and “discovers what lies at the dark heart of this mystery.”

Tannahill, who adapted his novel for film, said: “On a very human level, I hope the drama intrigues them (the audience) and the mystery draws them in.

“I would like them to have a space where they can grapple with some of these larger questions around belief and the quest for transcendence and the search for community.

“Is it a conspiracy culture? Is it a sect?

When is The Listeners on TV?

The listeners begins on BBC One on Tuesday November 19 at 9pm.

It is a four-part series, with the remaining three episodes airing on successive Tuesdays at 9pm until December 10.

Viewers will also be able to catch up on episodes after they air on the BBC iPlayer.

What is The Listeners about?

The listeners centers around Claire (Rebecca Room), an English teacher who begins to hear a low buzzing sound that no one else around her can hear.

This seemingly innocuous noise gradually upsets the balance of her life, causing increasing tensions between her, her husband and her daughter.

Despite several doctors, no obvious source or medical cause can be found for this sound.

When she discovers that one of her students, Kyle (Ollie West), can also hear the sound, the two form an unlikely and intimate friendship.

Finding themselves increasingly isolated from family and friends, they find themselves with a disparate group of neighbors who also claim to hear what they call “The Hum.”

The group thinks it’s a gift, heard only by a “chosen one”, but Claire and Kyle are on a quest to try to figure out what it is.

Who is in the cast of The Listeners?

Rebecca Room

Rebecca Hall plays English teacher Claire Kutty in the film The listeners. About the role, she said: “Even before reading the scripts, I couldn’t wait to join The listeners. It was such a strange premise where there are so many possibilities, and it was a draw for me.

The 42-year-old actress has starred in films such as Awakening, A promise And The gift. She appeared on television in End of the parade And Einstein and Eddington.

Prasanna Puwanarajah

Prasanna Puwanarajah plays Paul Kutty, Claire’s husband in the series.

He said: “What interested me about this character was how Paul discovers how estranged two people can be, and how scary and isolating and dangerous that is for a relationship, which is a lot to experience in about 40-50 days, 20 years of relationship.

Puwanarajah, who initially trained as a doctor, appeared as journalist Martin Bashir in The Crown and played DC Jiban Kham in Refund.

The 43-year-old appeared in Patrick Melrose And Ten percent.

Mia Tharia

Mia Tharia appears as Ashley Kutty, Claire and Paul’s daughter in the series. The young actress began her career in the BBC Three series Rise of the Phoenix.

Speaking about her new role, she said: “Ashley is a very different role to anything I’ve played before. I’ve already done a kids’ show where I played a nerdier character, so having someone who has a bit of an edge was a new challenge.

Tharia set to appear in sci-fi drama Klara and the sunwritten by Kazuo Ishiguro, next year.

Ollie West

Ollie West appears as Kyle Francis, a student of Claire’s who can also hear The Hum. Describing his character on the show, West said: “At the start of the show, Kyle is a bit of an average Joe.

“A lot of people my age struggle with mental health issues and depression, and Kyle is one of them. Like Claire, Kyle thought he was going a little crazy.

“Basically, he found someone to talk to about The Hum.”

The 20-year-old actor was nominated for the Irish Film and Television Award for Best Leading Actor for his portrayal of Kevin in The sparrow last year.

The remaining cast includes:

• Amr awakened in the role of Omar (Firebarand, Ramy)
• Gayle Rankin as Jo (Glow, the greatest showman)
• Franc Ashman as Cassandra (The bastard son and the devil himself, I can destroy you),
• Samuel Edward-Cook as Damien (Peaky Blinders, the gallows post)
• Karen Henthorn as Emily (Coronation Street, The Ascension)
• Lucy Sheen as Teresa (Secrets and lies, silent witness)
• Ian Mercer as Tom (Master and commander, doctors).

Where is The Listeners filmed?

The listeners was shot dead in and around Greater Manchester.

This contrasts with the original novel, which is set in contemporary America.

Ed Guiney, the series’ executive producer, said: “We filmed the series around Manchester, but it’s not set in one specific location, it’s the English suburbs, so with Claire’s family, the neighbors and other people in the group, it was about finding people who could populate this world in a believable way.

Among the locations used were Space Studios and Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, which is home to a number of radio telescopes.

The film crew were on site at Jodrell Bank for two days, also using the Lovell and Mark II telescopes and wider green spaces.