Channel 4 has ordered an 8×30-minute drama Queenie, written by Candice Carty-Williams and based on her novel of the same name.
The broadcaster has also announced the full cast joining Chivalry, the 6 x 30’ comedy drama from Baby Cow Productions written by and starring Sarah Solemani and Steve Coogan
Queenie will be produced by Further South Productions in association with Lionsgate Television and surrounds the trials and tribulations of Queenie Jenkins: “aged 25, Jamaican British and straddler of both cultures, a South London stalwart, journalist, loyal friend, not so loyal daughter and granddaughter, a sometimes catastrophist, an occasional mess, but more often than not an undervalued success – who is always, always enough.”
Candice Carty-Williams says: “Being able to bring Queenie, her family, and of course the Corgis to the screen, is so exciting to me. And to do that with Channel 4, who has always set the tone for what television is about by pushing the boundaries of what we watch, is an added bonus. It’s clear to me that Queenie, a character whose story came to me when I was battling my way through my own messy twenties, is still so relevant today, and it’s about time that a show like this can explore why. To adapt and breathe new life into a story that has been talked about across the globe, and to bring Queenie, our problematic fave, to a whole new audience, is such a privilege.”
Caroline Hollick, Head of Channel 4 Drama says: “Candice is the stand-out voice of her generation and has created an iconic character in Queenie whose honesty, vulnerability and sharp sense of humour shines an unflinching light on who we are today. I’m so excited for this adaptation, and I’m in no doubt that both Queenie and Candice are going to take Channel 4 by storm!”
Executive Producer Steve November adds: “Channel 4 is the perfect home for Candice’s provocative, timely, hilarious writing and we are delighted to be working with them and Candice to bring Queenie to the screen.”
Executive Producer, Sarah Conroy adds: “It’s been a privilege to work with Candice on Queenie’s journey from page to screen and we hope that the many, many fans of the book will love this version of Queenie and that the adaptation will allow new fans to fall in love with this amazing character for the first time.”
Queenie (w/t) will be written and created by Candice Carty-Williams and produced by Further South Productions in association with Lionsgate Television for Channel 4. The series will be executive produced by Steve November, Sarah Conroy and Candice Carty-Williams and was commissioned for Channel 4 Drama by Head of Drama, Caroline Hollick and Commissioning Editor Gemma Boswell. Queenie will be distributed by Lionsgate and starts production next year.
For Chivalry, Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws, Blackish), Sienna Miller (The Loudest Voice, American Woman), Lolly Adefope (This Time with Alan Partridge, Shrill), Robert Lonsdale (Chewing Gum, Finding Alice) and Adjani Salmon (Dreaming Whilst Black, Enterprice) star in the series, alongside guest cameos including Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself, Ant Man), Peter Mullan (Cursed, Mum) and Amy Landecker (Your Honor, Transparent). Chivalry is written by Sarah Solemani (Him and Her, Barry) and Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge, Philomena) and is produced by Baby Cow Productions. “This timely series unabashedly explores the complex state of gender politics in the #MeToo era in the film and television industry.”
Chivalry has been commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Drama, Caroline Hollick, and overseen by Commissioning Editor, Gwawr Lloyd. Marta Cunningham (Insecure, Fear the Walking Dead, Modern Love) will direct, Isabel Richardson (Russian Doll, Living With Yourself) will produce and the executive producers are Steve Coogan, Sarah Solemani, Marta Cunningham, Sarah Monteith (This Time with Alan Partridge) and Rupert Majendie (This Time with Alan Partridge, Pls Like).
Chivalry is produced by Baby Cow Productions, a BBC Studios invested indie with US production services provided by Jax Media.
Jon Creamer
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