Dougray Scott's real-life son joins him in new drama Summerwater

Dougray Scott has revealed details about Channel 4's gripping new drama Summerwater.

The 'thrilling and compulsive drama' draws inspiration from Sarah Moss's bestselling novel, with each episode unfolding across identical 24-hour periods viewed through different cabin dwellers' eyes.

A synopsis reveals: "In a Scottish holiday park enduring unpredictable weather, the residents of Summerwater attempt to escape life's problems in the serenity of isolation.

"Far from a relaxing retreat, Summerwater turns out to be a mysterious, all-knowing place, where residents are confronted with their deepest desires and darkest truths.

"Weaving together the lives of several families, as they are observed closely from their disparate cabins, Summerwater shows how the simmering tensions between holidaymakers leads to a devastating climax."

In the new series, 59 year old Dougray portrays David Campbell, a GP who has visited Summerwater alongside his wife Annie, portrayed by Shirley Henderson, for years - though marital strife quickly emerges as they face their history and uncertain future.

Discussing the programme, Dougray disclosed a genuine family connection within the production.

Speaking about the show's flashbacks depicting characters' younger selves, the star explained: "My actual son, Gabriel Scott, plays me as a young man in the series and he's fantastic.

"I might be the third best actor in my family after my wife and my son!"

Dougray, who is married to actress Claire Forlani and father to Gabriel, a rising star in shows like House of the Dragon, His Dark Materials and Lockerbie, gave viewers a sneak peek into what they can expect from Summerwater: "Viewers will see the story of many different couples and the challenges that they all face as families, and in their own personal lives.

"The family of each cabin has their own different story to follow. It's a meandering story of different couples and family units. Sometimes they bump into each other, most of the time they don't. Our Annie and David story is certainly separate from the rest of them, until the end...

"It's about how we get through our lives and the challenges that we face and a very normal, abnormal story. It's very challenging, the situation and the circumstances in which Annie and David find themselves in - it's heartbreaking at times."

Meanwhile, Shirley, 59, known for her roles in Harry Potter and Bridget Jones and who plays Annie in the show, hinted at the series' mysterious aura: "It's like a breeze that's coming around you and a memory of something that you can't quite figure out what it is.

"It's a shiver, a fear of something but you don't know what - a clawing feeling from the past and you can't tell if it's discomfort or if it's a welcoming thing.

"The stories for different people come out in different ways. Some things are answered; some things are never answered. It's an uncomfortable place, but it's also a place that draws people because it is also comfortable.

"It allows you to be something other than what maybe you should be. It brings things out in people and it's full of life, but it's also quite dead. You feel something bad has happened. But did something bad happen?"

Summerwater airs on Channel 4.