Possession (2026) s01e01 Episode Script

1
'The following programme
contains racist language.'
(TENSE MUSIC)
MAN: Ready? Lift!
Not yet.
Alright.
Steady. Steady.
Take time. Take time.
LILA IKE: # When I look
at where I'm coming from
Looking back
at where the journey began
I really haffi say that I'm strong
I'm strong
All praises to the most high One
Yah an' I tell ya
where I'm coming from
Looking back
at where the journey began
I really haffi say
that I'm strong, I'm strong
All praises
Ah, ah, yeah
To the most high, to the most high
To the most high, to the most high
To the most high ♪
(SNIFFLES)
(COUGHS)
(INHALES)
(UNSCREWS LID)
(WHIRRING)
LITTLE SIMZ: Flood
As I walk this wicked ground
Keep me away from the Devil's palm
I am the
How dare you?
I was shuttin' down the world
and it scared you
Can't hold a girl down
that is this bad
Shape nice
with my nails and my hairdo
Not the type
that will trip off of nostalgia
Talk nice,
but my silence is louder
Spend 'nuff,
but my finances louder
I'm not the type
to abuse all my power
Realness in the village
I come from ♪
Do you know Alfred Connaught?
Not personally.
I know he's a big client.
He passed away last week.
We also take care of his son,
Oliver.
I got a call this morning
about a new will.
It looks like Alfred
disinherited Oliver
and left everything
to some Jamaican national.
Everything?
Shares. Investments.
Everything. 50 million.
Not the sort of business
we can afford to lose.
We only have a name.
Cudjoe East.
We have to send someone out
to get this overturned.
Alfred lived and died at Hope Hill,
a former plantation.
And I think
we should consider the optics.
You think a black lawyer might be
more politically expedient.
Yes.
Maybe you want to take
some time to think it over?
No.
I want to do it.
I was just thinking
it's a job for a PARTNER
really.
Hi, Oliver.
This is Claudia.
Hi.
So sorry for your loss.
Shall we head into my office?
You alright here for a minute, Reg?
I'll just get him settled
and I'll be right with you.
(FAINT GAME SOUND EFFECTS)
Do you want a juice or something?
It's OK. I'll take over.
Thanks.
Cudjoe East.
Have you ever met this man?
No. I've no idea who he is.
My father never mentioned him.
I don't know why he would do this.
We retain a resident attorney
to handle your father's affairs
in Jamaica.
Claudia's going to go out
and search every inch of the house.
Anything that connects your father
to Cudjoe East, she's gonna find it.
And then what?
We discredit him.
If we're gonna fight this,
we have to expose this man.
I don't know exactly
what we're going to find
but it could be fraud,
coercion, abuse.
You should prepare yourself
for that.
You may not like what you hear.
Sorry Sorry, it's just
I really wasn't expecting
any of this.
It's It's not just me
I have to think about, is it?
(CLEARS THROAT)
Just Excuse me.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(RAIN PATTERS)
(FIRE CRACKLES)
(BIRDS SQUAWK)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(GURGLING)
(MUFFLED SCREAMING AND BANGING)
(DOOR CREAKS)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(GASPS)
(WHIMPERS)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(THUNDERCLAP)
(THUNDER FADES)
Excited?
I wouldn't say that.
It's work, Dad.
Yeah, but
Your mum was from Kingston.
Suppose you could
look up your family.
(SCOFFS) What am I gonna do?
Accost people in the street
and ask them if they knew my mum?
(ZIPS UP LUGGAGE)
Right. Ready to go?
Yeah. Oh, keys!
'(JET ENGINES WHINE)'
(LIVELY CHATTER)
Fair price!
Taxi?
Taxi?
MAN: Nice lady, taxi?
(CHATTER CONTINUES)
Hi! I'm Claudia McKenzie.
Mr Connaught's solicitor.
You're black.
Welcome.
You staying at the Rok Hotel, right?
Do you mind
if we head straight to the house?
I wouldn't mind
getting a head start.
Yeah, man. No problem.
I'm Angelo, by the way.
TIME COW & EXILE DI BRAVE:
Can't Be Found
(LIVELY CHATTER)
(SIREN WHOOPS)
(LIVELY CHATTER)
Something to give me?
Can't give nothing?
Sorry.
Give me something now.
I'm sorry.
(SEAGULLS SQUAWK)
You want me to tell her?
(SNIFFS AND CLEARS THROAT)
Mmm.
You want me to tell her?
It's Juju.
Protection.
So if you see, don't touch it.
Hear me?
Why not?
That's how we run things.
So you worked for Alfred?
Yeah, man.
He was a good man.
Everybody sorry for see him pass on.
Oh.
What do you mean, "Hm"?
I don't know.
He just didn't strike me
as a "man of the people".
He didn't have
that reputation in the UK.
People change.
You know Hope Hill
was a sugar plantation?
I had some idea.
And that don't bother you?
YOU work there.
Does it bother YOU?
At times, yes.
But me and Alfred,
we talked about it.
You haven't heard of a Cudjoe East?
Yeah.
Me introduce him to Alfred
maybe when six months are back.
Alfred wanted to research
him family tree
and Cudjoe is well versed
in all of that
local history.
Slavery.
Could you put me in touch with him?
Alright.
Me know why you're there.
I see what you are trying to do
and you are wasting your time.
Him not gonna barter with you
and him not gonna talk to you.
Why wouldn't he talk to me?
Cos him not gonna change him mind.
Not about that.
(UNSETTLING MUSIC)
(BIRD SCREECHES)
(CHATTER)
CLAUDIA: Where are they all going?
ANGELO: This is Alfred's Nine Night.
We're helping his spirit pass on.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(ANGELO TOOTS HORN)
(PEOPLE CALL OUT)
(TENSE MUSIC BUILDS)
(MUSIC CALMS)
Not here.
Right.
Office.
(SIGHS)
So, will I bring you back to your
hotel when you are done or what?
Oh, no, that's OK.
Probably end up
pulling an all-nighter anyway.
A lot to do.
Does Oliver know
about this Nine Night?
Yeah, man, he know. I tell him.
Come join we.
You're more than welcome.
Maybe later.
Mm.
(EXHALES)
(PHONE PINGS)
(SIGHS)
(CREAKING)
(SINGING AND DRUMMING OUTSIDE)
(CREAKING)
(WHOOPING OUTSIDE)
(CREAKING)
(GROANS SOFTLY)
(SIGHS)
(INHALES)
(DRUMMING CONTINUES OUTSIDE)
(CREAKING)
(LOW CREAKING)
(CLICK)
(DOOR CREAKS)
(DRUMMING CONTINUES OUTSIDE)
(DRUMMING AND SINGING)
(WHOOPING AND TRILLING)
(SINGING CONTINUES)
(MUFFLED MUSIC CONTINUES)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAK)
(CREAKING)
(MUSIC AND SINGING)
(CREAKING)
(MUSIC AND SINGING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(STRAINS)
(CREAKS)
(FIRE CRACKLES)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(GRUNTS)
What are you doing?
What did you do?
What are you talking about?
Oh!
Ah!
(FRANTIC DRUMMING CONTINUES)
(WATER RUNS FROM TAP)
(WHIMPERS)
I was a broken man
The day I lost my son
(MUFFLED MUSIC FROM VEHICLE)
(BIRDSONG)
(ROOSTER CROWS)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
Oh.
Oliver.
Claudia.
I I managed to get on
the next flight, so
Great.
Yeah.
What's been going on?
Uh, um
Sorry, do you mind
if I just take a minute to
Oh, yes! Um Sorry, yes.
Of course. Um
I'll be downstairs.
OK, perfect.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Shit.
(MAN TALKS ON RADIO)
(MUSIC ON RADIO)
Sorry.
Don't be.
It's your house.
Toast.
Thanks.
So what exactly happened out there?
Nine Night?
Angelo seemed to think
you knew all about it.
He mentioned a gathering.
But looks like
fucking Chernobyl out there.
You know, if it was just this place
he wanted, he'd be welcome to it.
Cudjoe East.
He'd be doing me a favour.
You don't like it?
It's not my cup of tea.
You stayed the night?
I was working.
I didn't sleep or anything.
You ARE allowed to sleep, you know.
(CHUCKLES)
So what's the plan?
What are we doing today?
Meeting the Resident Attorney.
Get his take on Mr East.
Hmm
I could give you a lift.
Or, um, or Angelo can take you,
if you'd prefer -
No.
I mean, it would be better
if we arrived together.
Unless you have other stuff
you need to be doing?
I'd rather spend as little time
here as humanly possible so
I'll just, uh, freshen up.
Hey.
Hey!
Hey!
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Look, I don't know
what that was about.
I don't know if you were drunk
or high or
(VOICE BECOMES MUFFLED)
(INTERNAL VOICES)
But if you try anything like that
again, I'll have you prosecuted.
Me tell you to stay out of the room.
You opened the trunk!
Yeah?
It was empty. I put it back.
What's the problem?
You need to go back to England.
Are you threatening me?
You're not safe!
I'm not going anywhere.
(DOOR BANGS)
Claudia? Ready?
Coming.
Stay away from me.
(WHISPERING VOICES)
(CAR DOOR CLOSES)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(EERIE MUSIC)
MAN: Charlotte!
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
MAN: They organised a Trinity.
Right under the master's, um, no-
Come, sir, to it!
In one night, 30 slaves
took the entire plantation
before they marched into
Fort Haldane 100 strong.
Now more estates
have been razed to the ground.
Tacky is enlisting.
It is only a matter of time
until he reaches Hope Hill
with twice the number.
Excusing the lady, but there is
no pretty way to put it.
He is set upon a white massacre.
I've had word from other estates
that he has some kind of
witch doctor.
Hm. Aye.
It is how he recruits them.
Surely you are not afeared of that?
I'm hardly suggesting
there is any truth in it.
I am merely warning you
to be on your guard.
Tacky is clever.
He well knows what a negro fears -
and it is not only the whip.
(CHUCKLES)
Are you fraidy-fraidy?
Matthew come.
Come, man. Sit down.
Perhaps we should retire
to the drawing -
What do you reckon to that?
The rebel leader and his Obeah-man?
Oh, for heaven's sake.
Does he frighten you?
No
But I'm fortunate to have
your good counsel and instruction.
I am a man of reason.
You have trained him
to speak like that.
Aye?
And what say you, Charlotte?
I agree with Mr Connaught.
I asked your opinion.
Not Mr Connaught's.
A primitive mind is not solely
a negro affliction, sir.
(GROANS)
My father has an unusual humour,
but he can be reasoned with.
You could try to win him over,
Kenneth.
I do not WANT to win him over.
He has more respect for
your bastard black brother than me.
Kenneth.
(SNIFFS) Hm.
(CHATTER)
WOMAN: Hear what him say?
Rebel man soon come.
Hush up!
Unready?
No.
Coward.
It is only a matter of sense.
I take no grievance with him.
I have a wife.
Pickney.
Cabin me own. A bed.
You want me to risk all of that?
You think anything belong to you?
It different for me.
Why so?
You know why so.
He may be your father,
but I am your mother's mother
and you're just as black as me.
I see how you come to be, boy,
and it was no pretty business.
I remember what you do not.
Do not betray yourself, Matthew.
(HORNS HONK)
Your father's medical notes.
Doctor sent them over this morning.
What was the Ranolazine for?
Angina.
Was he taking anything else?
Sharp as a tack, apparently.
(PHONE BUZZES)
Sorry, I just have to, um
Of course.
(DOOR OPENS)
Take your time.
(DOOR CLOSES)
If you don't reply to my messages,
I'll assume you're not getting them.
WOMAN: "I AM getting them.
I just don't feel the need
to reply to every single one.
I'm busy."
I'm allowed to check in on my son.
"He's at school. He's fine.
What else do you need to know?"
Could you, just please, just
just keep me in the loop?
(SHE ENDS CALL)
We can still look at fraud.
The will is a bit rudimentary but
it's properly drawn and witnessed.
Perhaps Mr East is a relative?
Oliver's an only child.
You sure about that?
He had a vasectomy, George.
Regardless, it seems unlikely
he would choose this man at random -
I know that,
but there's nothing that I can see
that connects Alfred Connaught
to Cudjoe East,
apart from this document.
It's fraud.
And let's face it, George,
this country has
a huge problem with fraud.
Correct me if I'm wrong,
but you're not qualified
to practise law in this country.
I was told it was your job
to find some dirt
so that I could get on with MY job
and start proceedings
by the end of the week.
Let's stick to that plan, shall we?
(TENSE MUSIC)
Sorry.
Oh.
Sorry, I wasn't expecting you
to um
It's OK.
You alright?
Yeah. Just
Angelo lives here, right?
Yeah.
Round the back.
I should go and speak to him.
Why?
As far as I can see,
there is no Cudjoe East.
There's no paper trail,
no records, nothing.
The only person who claims to have
had contact with him is that man.
I'll go with you.
No, I should handle this.
I'll be right back.
Hello?
Hello!
Angelo?
(CREAKING)
(GASPS)
(WHIMPERS)
Oliver!
Oliver!
(BIRDSONG)
(CREAKING)
(RINGING TONE)
TOM: "Hello."
Dad?
"Oh, hello! You alright?"
"Claudia?"
"Claudia?"
Um
I just found a body.
"What?!
What Where?
Are you OK?"
"Claudia?"
Uh
(VEHICLE DOOR SLAMS)
Uh
Yeah, I'm alright.
Um, the police are here.
I'm so sorry.
I shouldn't have called you.
"Do you need me
to come and get you?"
Um, you you can't.
"I'm not leaving you
out there on your own.
Whereabouts are you? Kingston?"
Uh
"You're not with HER, are you?"
Who?
"Did Mercy find you?"
Mercy?
Thank you.
Yes, Mr Connaught.
I've got to go, OK.
OK. Love you. Bye.
Why didn't you tell me
he spat at you?
Um
I don't think he was well.
Mentally.
I'm not hurt.
I didn't wanna make a fuss.
I'll get you some water.
(NIGHT CALLS OF BIRDS)
(TWIG SNAPS)
(FOOTSTEPS OUTSIDE)
(HE GRUNTS)
(RUNNING FOOTSTEPS)
(GRUNTS)
What are you doing?
Privy.
Go back to sleep.
(SHE MOANS DROWSILY)
(GRUNTS INQUISITIVELY)
Mmm.
(BIRD CALLS)
(MUFFLED CHATTER)
Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.
(ALL QUIETEN)
(FLORA PRAYS IN AKAN)
(CONTINUES TO PRAY IN AKAN)
(CONTINUES TO PRAY IN AKAN)
(TWIG SNAPS)
(GUNSHOT BLASTS)
(SCREAMING)
Don't youse run!
(SHOUTING)
Find them!
MAN: That way! Do you see 'em?!
(MUFFLED SHOUTING)
Hunt them down!
(GUNSHOT)
(SHOUTING)
(VOICES MOVE AWAY)
(MUFFLED VOICES OF PURSUERS)
MAN: Over there!
(DISTANT GUNSHOT)
He's up in the tree!
(MUFFLED SHOUTING)
Over here!
There he is! I see him!
Here!
(GUNSHOT THUNDERS)
Come on!
(VOICES MOVE AWAY)
(HE GROANS)
(SPITS)
Look who we have here.
(LOW CHATTER)
I keep trying to force toast on you.
Sorry. Not much of a cook.
(CHUCKLES) I like toast.
Couldn't really stomach
anything else.
Yeah, I know.
Do you cook for your son?
Um, well, not really.
Do you have a chef?
(CHUCKLES)
No, it's not really my bag.
Do you?
Have a chef?
No, I mean, um, kids.
Oh. No.
It's just me.
I do have an air fryer.
So, um -
Oh, yeah.
Yeah. Fish fingers.
Chicken nuggets.
The full beige platter.
Is that bad?
Nope.
My dad raised me
on Turkey Twizzlers.
You didn't live with your mum?
She died when I was born.
I'm sorry.
Oh, no, don't be.
It's sad but it's not
awkward for me or anything.
I was a baby.
That must've been hard.
Why?
Well, I mean, you know,
growing up without your mother
does seem fairly significant, no?
But I didn't know any different.
It was just one of those things.
She had an infection.
There was nothing
anyone could've done.
Hm.
Mine died when I was 12.
Mm. Yeah I I read that.
This autoimmune thing.
Well, that must've been awful.
It's not a competition. But uh
IF it was I would win.
(CHUCKLES)
Oh.
I'm fucked. I should go.
You could stay here if you want?
I'm booked into the hotel.
(PHONE BUZZES)
Oh.
Excuse me.
George. Hi.
"Claudia, you're not going
to believe this.
Cudjoe East
just walked into my office."
He's keen to talk.
Right.
Whatever is said,
don't let him rattle you.
Let's just get it done.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
"Cudjoe East
just walked into my office."
Stay away from that house.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Your ancestors.
(PHONE PINGS)
Them a-reach out to you.
..go together like (SLOWS)
Oh, my God! What's that?
I think he wants to hurt me.
OLIVER: 'It's like voodoo.'
CUDJOE:
'This is something different.'
OLIVER: 'He's coming.'
Come on!
Do not play with things
you do not understand.
What are you waiting for, man?!
(SCREAMING)
(GASPS)
(YELLS)
(THUD)
'Ancestors,
I'm asking you to help me.'