How to watch 'Insomnia' online: stream Vicky McClure nighttime thriller from anywhere

Emma (played by Vicky McClure) looks troubled in "Insomnia"
(Image credit: Paramount+)

"Insomnia" stars "Line of Duty" actor Vicky McClure – usually a good indication of a quality TV show – as Emma, a successful career woman who fears she is experiencing a dangerous breakdown just before her 40th birthday. Here's how to watch it from anywhere with a VPN.

'Insomnia' date, streaming info

"Insomnia" is a six-part series that will premiere in the U.K. on Paramount Plus on Thursday, May 23.
• U.K. — Watch on Paramount Plus
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free

Her sense of impending doom is compounded by the fact that her mother suffered a similar and violent demise at the same age and predicted that "bad blood" meant Emma would too. With those words ringing down the years, other elements of her past begin to resurface and her behavior at work and at home – not helped by the inability to sleep – becomes increasingly erratic. A perfect storm is gathering.

The show marks a move from McClure from the procedural dramas which she has made her own in recent years but also has a personal aspect as she recently turned 40 herself. As ever, she brings a believable accessibility to her character that drives the narrative and is ably supported on this occasion by Tom Cullen ("The Gold") who plays her  husband Robert and Leanne Best ("Compulsion") as her estranged sister Phoebe.

Read on and we'll show you where to watch "Insomnia" online and from anywhere.

How to watch 'Insomnia' online in the U.K.

"Insomnia" premieres in the U.K. on Paramount Plus on Thursday, May 23. 

If you're traveling abroad, use a VPN service such as NordVPN to access your usual Paramount Plus subscription from anywhere.

How to watch 'Insomnia' online from anywhere

Just because Paramount Plus isn't available everywhere doesn't mean you need to miss "Insomnia" if you've traveled somewhere where the service isn't accessible. 

With the right VPN (virtual private network), you can stream the show from wherever you go.

We've evaluated many options, and the best VPN is NordVPN. It meets the VPN needs of the vast majority of users, offering outstanding compatibility with most devices and impressive connection speeds. 

Image

There's a good reason you've heard of NordVPN. We specialize in testing and reviewing VPN services and NordVPN is the one we rate best. It's outstanding at unblocking streaming services, it's fast and it has top-level security features too. With over 5,000 servers, across 60 countries, and at a great price too, it's easy to recommend.

Get over 60% off with this NordVPN deal

Can I watch 'Insomnia' online in the U.S.?

There is no date to air "Insomnia" on Paramount Plus in the U.S. right now but that could change very soon. 

However, if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation you can access your usual Paramount Plus subscription from anywhere thanks to NordVPN

free 7-day trial

The Paramount Plus library includes "Survivor", "NCIS" and "Ghosts", as well as originals like "1923" and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." You'll need the $11.99 a month 'with Showtime' plan to watch "Insomnia". New users get a free 7-day trial.

Can I watch 'Insomnia' online in Canada?

As with the U.S., there is no date to air "Insomnia" on Paramount Plus in Canada right now but that could change very soon.

However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation you can access your usual Paramount Plus subscription from anywhere thanks to NordVPN

Can I watch 'Insomnia' online in Australia?

There is no date to air "Insomnia" on Paramount Plus in Australia right now but that could change very soon.

However, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under you can use a VPN service such as NordVPN to access you usual Paramount Plus account.

'Insomnia' cast

  • Vicky McClure as Emma
  • Tom Cullen as Robert
  • Smylie Bradwell as Will
  • India Fowler as Chloe
  • Leanne Best as Phoebe
  • Corinna Marlowe as Patricia
  • Lyndsey Marshall as Caroline
  • Dominic Tighe as Julian
  • Jade Harrison as Michelle
  • Robert Gilbert as Faisal
  • Michelle Bonnard as DI Hildreth

Is the TV show based on "Insomnia: A Novel" by Sarah Pinborough?

It absolutely is. The series was adapted for TV from her 2022 novel by the author herself. Pinborough also wrote and adapted 2021 Netflix series "Behind Her Eyes" from one of her own books.

More from Tom's Guide

vpn terms

(Image credit: Future)
Bill Borrows

Bill Borrows is an award-winning journalist, feature writer and columnist (Times Magazine/ Guardian/ Telegraph/ Daily Mirror/ Mail On Sunday/ Radio Times), author (The Hurricane: The Turbulent Life and Times of Alex Higgins) and book editor. A frequent contributor on talkSPORT and talkRADIO, his areas of specialisation include sport, history, politics, TV and film. He doesn’t get much free time but does admit to an addiction to true crime podcasts, following Man City home and away, and a weakness for milk chocolate cookies