A new psychological thriller is set to arrive on Paramount+ this December. Little Disasters, a limited series based on the bestselling novel, explores the devastating fallout when a doctor’s professional duty clashes with personal friendship.
The series features a strong lead performance by Diane Kruger and is directed by BAFTA-nominated director Eva Sigurðardóttir. For audiences who enjoyed intense dramas like The Slap, this show presents a gripping story about the hidden complexities of modern motherhood and friendship.
What is the story about?
Little Disasters centers on four women—Jess, Liz, Charlotte, and Mel—who have been friends for a decade after first meeting in an antenatal class. Their close bond is shattered when Jess, who appears to be the perfect mother, rushes her baby daughter to the hospital with a head injury she cannot fully explain.
The situation escalates when the emergency room doctor on duty is revealed to be Liz, one of Jess’s closest friends. Faced with the baby’s unexplained injury and Jess’s behavior, Liz makes the difficult decision to report the incident to social services. This single act triggers a chain of events that fractures their friendship group and threatens to destroy their families, forcing everyone to confront their secrets.
When Jess (Diane Kruger) rushes her baby to the ER, she’s treated by one of her closest friends, Liz (Jo Joyner). Alarmed by Jess’ behavior, Liz calls social services, triggering an explosive chain of events.
Who is in the cast?
The series brings together a talented ensemble cast of familiar faces from British and American television and film.
- Diane Kruger as Jess Carrisford: Kruger plays Jess, the seemingly ‘perfect’ mother whose life is turned upside down after her baby is admitted to the hospital. Kruger is known for her roles in films like Troy and Inglourious Basterds.
- Jo Joyner as Dr. Liz Burgess: Joyner portrays the A&E doctor forced to choose between her friend and her professional obligations. Joyner is widely recognized for playing Tanya Branning in the BBC soap EastEnders.
- Shelley Conn as Charlotte Hinman: Conn plays Charlotte, an upper-class working mother and a dedicated lawyer. Audiences may know Conn from her roles in Bridgerton Season 2 and Gen V.
- Emily Taaffe as Mel Quinn: Taaffe appears as Mel, the youngest of the friend group, who is called upon to help with Jess’s children. Her past work includes The Rising and The Beast Must Die.
The cast also includes several key actors playing the characters’ partners:
- JJ Feild as Ed, Jess’s husband.
- Ben Bailey Smith as Nick, Liz’s partner.
- Stephen Campbell Moore as Rob, Mel’s partner.
- Patrick Baladi as Andrew, Charlotte’s lawyer husband.
When and where can you watch it?
Little Disasters will be available to stream in the United States, Canada, and several other international markets exclusively on Paramount+ starting Wednesday, December 11, 2025. The show is a six-episode limited series, and all episodes are expected to be released at once for binge-watching.
The series has already premiered in the UK and Ireland in May 2025. It was produced by Roughcut Television in association with Fremantle and filmed in locations including Budapest and London.
Behind the scenes details
The series is adapted from the novel Little Disasters by author Sarah Vaughan, who also served as an executive producer on the project. The screen adaptation was written by Ruth Fowler and Amanda Duke.
Directing all six episodes is Eva Sigurðardóttir, a BAFTA-nominated director known for her work on other critically acclaimed series. The executive production team includes Ash Atalla, Alex Smith, and Marianna Abbotts for Roughcut Television.
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