Writer Russell T Davies is confirmed to write a new BBC One drama, Years and Years, which follows the lives of a single family over 15 years in a Britain rocked by unstable political, economic and technological advances.
Commissioned for BBC One, Years and Years will be produced by RED Production Company and executive produced by Nicola Shindler.
Years and Years follows the Lyons, a busy Manchester family. Daniel’s getting married to Ralph. Stephen and Celeste worry about their kids. Rosie’s chasing a new fella. Edith hasn’t been home for years. All presided over by Gran, the imperial Muriel. But when their lives all converge on one crucial night in 2019, the story accelerates into the future, following the lives and loves of the Lyons over the next 15 years.
Society gets hotter, faster, madder, with the turmoil of politics, technology and distant wars affecting the Lyons in their day-to-day lives. Britain withdraws from Europe, America becomes a lone wolf, China asserts itself, and a new world begins to form. But someone’s taking advantage, as MP Vivienne Rook begins her rise to power – that new breed of politician, an entertainer, a rebel, a trickster and a terror, leading us into an unknown future. Set against this, the Lyons have to navigate their everyday hopes and fears, knowing that one ordinary family could never change the world. Or could they?
The drama marks the ninth collaboration for screenwriter Russell T Davies (A Very English Scandal, Doctor Who) and RED’s Nicola Shindler, whose working relationship spans over 20 years. The partnership has produced hit series including Queer As Folk, Casanova, Cucumber, Banana, Bob & Rose and The Second Coming.
Russell T Davies, said: “I’ve wanted to write this for 20 years or so. And as the world accelerates like crazy around us, I realised I’d better get on with it! It’s a joy to be back home with RED, and an honour to be on BBC One.”
Nicola Shindler, founder and executive producer of RED Production Company, said: “The script is fantastic, and taps into the anxieties of the climate we are currently living in, speculating how the dynamics of cultural and political change affects our lives – and the lives of our families.”
“What Russell does so expertly is navigate a potentially dark and fearful story into a compelling drama that is full of wit, warmth and hope, with family at the heart of the show.”
Years and Years is a RED Production Company production commissioned for BBC One. The 6 x 60-minute drama is created, written and executive produced by Russell T Davies, with Nicola Shindler as Executive Producer for RED Production Company and Lucy Richer for BBC. Series producer is Karen Lewis (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax). Casting will be announced in due course, and the series is expected to go into production later this year.
Staff Reporter
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