BBC Drama executive Lindsay Salt has officially announced the twelve new original shows, which have been greenlit for production. The lineup includes the romance drama Film Club, which hails from Sex Education vet Aimee Lou Wood in her first screenwriting project. In addition, BBD Drama has also renewed its Belfast-set police drama Blue Lights for two more seasons.
“Over the next few years, I want the BBC to redefine ‘state of the nation’ drama. I want us to use our appetite and ability to take risks to shake up what ‘state of the nation’ really means, and re-purpose it for new audiences,” Salt said on BBC Drama’s current vision during the network’s press event. (via BBC UK). “It’s a phrase that – in my opinion – has become a little dusty and old-fashioned. Sometimes associated with shows that are earnest or overloaded with messages. Static when it should be dynamic and vibrant and necessary. It should mean stories that are honest and emotional, revealing and messy… It should reflect something different to different age groups and communities.”
She continued, “We want to redress the balance, embrace the medium of television and find the next Catherine Cawoods, Luthers, Villanelles, Tommy Shelbys, Sherlocks, Doctor Fosters and Sister Juliennes! Vibrant, recognisable, truthful, knotty characters that speak to the heart and end up feeling like family or friends. Even when they’re badly behaved! I want us to create the new generation of iconic characters.”
What BBC Drama’s upcoming new shows?
Listed below are the first official details of the new shows ordered by BBC Drama:
- Dear England – Based on Sherwood creator James Graham’s hit West End play of the same name, the series will feature the return of Joseph Fiennes as he reprises his role as England football manager Gareth Southgate. The adaptation hails from The Crown producers Left Bank Pictures.
- Film Club – In addition to co-writing the romantic drama with Ralph Davis, Wood will also be leading the six-part series. It will be made by Obsession producer Gaumont.
- The Ministry of Time – Normal People screenwriter Alice Birch is once again teaming up BBC Drama for the series adaptation of Kaliane Bradley’s sci-fi novel. The story centers around a group of expats from history. It is produced by A24.
- The Split Up – Based on Abi Morgan’s hit divorce show The Split, this Manchester-based spin-off will follow a family of British-Asian divorce lawyers. The original producers Sister will make the show, which is written by Ursula Rani Sarma. It is executive produced by Morgan.
- The Dream Lands – Kayleigh Llewellyn will be adapting Rosa Rankin-Gee’s coming-of-age novel Dreamland as a six-part series. It will be produced by Sister.
- The Listeners – Written by Jordan Tannahill, the series will see Vicky Christina Barcelona star Rebecca Hall portraying an English teacher coping with an unseen condition. It hails from Poor Things producer Element Pictures
- We Go Again – It is a six-part series about three stubbornly optimistic siblings with a dark secret. The project will be written by Janice Okoh, based on her play Three Birds, with The Forge Entertainment producing.
- Lions – It is a six-part series about two Glasgow-based men over a number of decades. The project hails from Richard Gadd and Mam Tor Productions.
- This City is Ours – will center around a Liverpudlian man who contemplates leaving his life of crime when he meets the love of his life. It eight-part series is written by Stephen Butchard, with Left Bank Pictures producing.
- Mint – Described as an unconventional eight-part drama, the story will revolve around growing up in a crime family. It will be written by Charlotte Regan, with Fearless Minds and House Productions to produce.
- Reunion – The four-part thriller follows a a deaf man and ex-con determined to get revenge. It hails from writer William Mager and Warp Films.
