The Rapture is an adaptation of Liz Jensen's novel of the same name - here's how the script is different to the book12:17, 22 Jul 2026Updated 20:07, 26 Jul 2026The Rapture is a brand new psychological thriller from the BBC.‌Filmed in Wales, the drama has a star-studded cast list including Years and Years star Ruth Madeley, Queen Charlotte's India Amarteifio, The Lord of the Rings actor Sam Hazeldine, Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon, Industry's Jack Farthing and Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones.‌The series is adapted from Liz Jensen’s bestselling 2009 novel about a teenager accused of killing her mother, who claims she has the ability to predict disasters.‌Set in a heatwave, The Rapture follows psychologist Dr Gabs Fox, who, after a life-altering car accident killed her husband and left her paralysed, starts a new job at a psychiatric hospital where she is assigned 17-year-old inmate Bethany Krall.Two years before, Bethany was sectioned for the brutal murder of her mother, Carys Krall. The case shocked the nation, not least because Bethany’s father, Leonard Krall, is the charismatic leader of the Faith Way, a spiritual movement with millions of online followers.‌Bethany seems to know private details about Gabs’ life and insists she can see visions of the future, which she communicates through disturbing sketches of disasters: storms, fires and floods. Bethany’s nurse Rafiq insists Bethany’s predictions always come true, but Gabs is sceptical, determined to find a clinical explanation.As the heat intensifies, Gabs begins to notice unsettling connections between Bethany’s prophetic drawings and the world outside, forcing Gabs to re-examine her assumptions about Bethany's innocence.Like the book, the adaptation, which has been written by Bryony Kimmings and Rebecca Manley, tackles climate change, corruption and the bond between the two women at the centre of the story, but has been given a contemporary spin.‌Speaking about this, author Liz Jensen said: "The story feels far more timely now than when I wrote the book. The series foregrounds contemporary issues like climate anxiety, corruption, spiritual yearning and the deep bonds we form in times of crisis – to thrilling effect."Bryony Kimmings’ and Rebecca Manley’s scripts have huge charisma, with Ruth Madeley and India Amarteifio capturing the fraught relationship between two spirited but vulnerable characters with huge empathy, verve and nuance."‌There is one major difference between the script and the book though. Speaking about this, writer Bryony said: "The book leads towards a large disaster, whilst our show isn’t doing that. I decided to make the disaster more of an emotional and internal one. We moved from solving a tidal wave to investigating a potential miscarriage of justice."Again, simply because we know 17 years later after the book came out what the cost to the systems of the earth are if we continue with our growth and our extraction."India Amerteifio plays Bethany, said of the novel: "What’s amazing about Liz Jensen’s book is that it was written over a decade ago, but if anything, it’s more relevant now in terms of climate change, how we treat people with mental health needs, and how we also, as a society, ostracise people who need the most help. It’s important to talk about that, because it is an actuality of what’s going on. I guess the fact that we get to tackle those issues head on is something I’m proud to be a part of."Article continues belowShe added: "I think the beauty of this project is that it is similar enough to the book that you will enjoy seeing these characters, situations, and settings come to life, but it still feels really fresh and modern, because we’ve spun it into a contemporary version of the story."I’m a massive book reader, and I love watching adaptations, because sometimes it’s exactly how you’ve pictured it and sometimes it’s not. I think we’ve taken it in a slightly different direction, which will be great for audiences. They can get a feel for the book, but they also get a different take on it. It will almost be like experiencing two versions of the story."The Rapture will air on BBC One and iPlayer from 9pm on Sunday, July 26.