Adultery episode 5 preview: Hannah's painful past comes to light as Beth faces difficult truths tonight

The drama continues to intensify in ITV’s gripping new series Adultery tonight (9pm, ITV1/ITVX), as episode five arrives tonight, bringing further emotional revelations, difficult decisions and consequences for two families whose lives have become increasingly entangled.

With the teenagers’ behaviour pushing tensions to breaking point, Hannah is prompted to reveal a painful chapter from her past, while Beth decides it is finally time to confront her own history. Meanwhile, the weight of some potentially life-changing choices begins to fall heavily on both Beth and Tom.

But with emotions running high and so much at stake, can either of them face the truth about what they really want?

What happens in Adultery episode 5?

In tonight’s episode, the behaviour of Jess and Ollie becomes a catalyst for a series of revelations, as the teenagers’ actions bring long-buried feelings and painful memories to the surface.

Hannah finds herself opening up about her past, revealing more about the experiences that have shaped her. Her revelations add another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation, particularly as the consequences of Tom’s relationship with Beth continue to affect those closest to them.

For Beth, the time has come to stop avoiding her own history. As she decides to confront the past, she must also consider what she wants from the future and whether she is prepared to live with the consequences of her decisions.

Tom is facing a similar dilemma. His connection with Beth has developed into something neither can easily ignore, but their relationship threatens to destroy the family lives they have spent years building.

With the emotional pressure mounting, both must consider the choices ahead and the people who could be hurt along the way.

A passionate drama about love, family and betrayal

Starring Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai, Adultery is a six-part drama written and created by BAFTA Award-winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst, whose previous credits include Fool Me Once and Brassic.

Cooper plays Tom Kirkman, while Garai stars as Beth Brookes. Their characters experience an immediate and intense connection after meeting in unexpected circumstances.

However, there is a major complication: Tom is married to Hannah (Shelley Conn), while Beth is married to Neil (Matthew McNulty).

Their affair threatens to turn the lives of both families upside down, particularly as their teenage children, Jess (Johnny Sanpher) and Ollie (Leila Khan), are also embarking on an intense young romance of their own.

The series explores the complicated relationship between desire and responsibility, raising questions about class, grief, parenthood and the influence of social media.

As two ordinary families find themselves caught up in extraordinary circumstances, Adultery examines how one decision can have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.

The impressive supporting cast also includes Andrew Knott as Dave, James Murray as Paul and Charley Webb as Leah.

Danny Brocklehurst previously praised the talented ensemble, commenting: “’It’s a wonderful privilege to assemble such an amazing cast for Adultery. The characters in our show have complex emotional lives and we needed the very best acting talent to bring them to the screen. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Ben Stephenson also shared his excitement about the production, saying: “‘I am thrilled that we have assembled such a high calibre cast for Danny’s wonderful scripts. Dominic and Romola are two remarkable actors at the peak of their careers and it’s hugely exciting to see what they bring to this juicy gripping and complex show alongside their amazing co leads Matthew and Shelley.”

With just two episodes remaining after tonight’s instalment, the stakes are getting higher for Tom and Beth. Their relationship has already placed enormous strain on those around them, but could the decisions they make now change everything?

Adultery continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1, with the episode also available to stream on ITVX

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