Channel 4 has unveiled several new series orders and recommissions.

Russell T Davies returns to Channel 4 with The Boys, a 5 x 60’ drama series that explores the lives of a group of young gay men in 1980s London, as the AIDS crisis begins.

Writer and Executive Producer, Russell T Davies said; “I lived through those times, and it’s taken me decades to build up to this. And as time marches on, there’s a danger the story will be forgotten. So it’s an honour to write this for the ones we lost, and the ones who survived.”

Nicola Shindler, founder and executive producer of RED Production Company, said; “I’m thrilled to be working with Channel 4 and Russell again on this incredibly poignant and enthralling story. It’s full of what we’ve come to expect from Russell – a powerful but heart-warming story that highlights both the emotional fragility and strength of human nature, delivered through engaging and complex characters. The 1980’s AIDS epidemic was a deadly and uncertain period of time, and The Boys tells the human story behind the headlines.”

The Boys will go into production in 2019 (TBC) and has been commissioned by Beth Willis, Head of Drama at Channel 4, Lee Mason Commissioning Editor and Jonny Richards, Commissioning Executive. The series will be produced by RED Production Company and executive produced by Nicola Shindler (Safe, Happy Valley, Queer As Folk, Cucumber) and Russell T Davies (Queer As Folk, A Very English Scandal, Cucumber).

Netflix co-commission drama The End of the F***ing World is to return for a second series. It will be written by Charlie Covell and inspired by the characters from the award-winning series of comic books by Charles Forsman. The series will be produced by Clerkenwell Films and Dominic Buchanan Productions. The Executive Producers will be Murray Ferguson, Ed Macdonald, Andy Baker, Charlie Covell, Dominic Buchanan and Jonathan Entwistle. The series is commissioned by Beth Willis, Head of Drama at Channel 4 and Lee Mason, Commissioning Executive for Channel 4 Drama.

Channel 4 has also commissioned a third eight-part series of Ackley Bridge from The Forge.

Channel 4 Drama commissioners for series three will be Manpreet Dosanjh and Jonny Richards. It will be produced by The Forge and will film in Halifax next year. Executive Producers are George Ormond (National Treasure, Kiri, Great Expectations), George Faber (National Treasure, Shameless, Skins), Alexander Lamb (EastEnders, Waterloo Road) and Ayub Khan Din (East is East).

The Big Narstie Show has also been commissioned for a new run. The studio entertainment show presented by Grime musician Big Narstie and stand-up comedian Mo Gilligan is made by Expectation and Dice Productions Entertainment. It will feature more celebrity guests and musical performances alongside segments on the news of the week, TV, showbiz, trends and food and sketches.

The Big Narstie Show S2 was commissioned for Channel 4 by Ed Havard, Head of Entertainment with Syeda Irtizaali, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment and Events and Shaminder Nahal, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual. It is a co-production with Expectation and Dice Productions Entertainment, executive produced by Ben Wicks for Expectation and Obi Kevin Akudike and Nathan Brown for Dice Productions Entertainment and series produced by Aoife Bower.

The Big Narstie show’s Mo Gilligan has also been given his own new show. The new 6-part series from Expectation sees the stand up comedian present his own entertainment show built around his stand up, strands and sketches, filmed in front of a studio audience. The series will launch in 2019 in a 10pm slot.

Mo’s Show (6×60’) was commissioned for Channel 4 by Ed Havard, Head of Entertainment with Syeda Irtizaali, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment and Becky Cadman, Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment. It will be executive produced by Ben Wicks for Expectation and will be co-produced by Mo Gilligan’s own company Momo G.

There’s another comedy reorder for sitcom Lee and Dean, starring Mark O’Sullivan and Miles Chapman who play the eponymous Stevenage-based builder best mates. The series will return for a six-part run.

Lee and Dean was commissioned by Fiona McDermott, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, and Rachel Springett, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4. The series will be written by and stars Miles Chapman and Mark O’Sullivan. Martyn Jolly and BAFTA and Emmy award winner Tom Miller (Horrible Histories) will co-produce this series. Bingo Productions are the production company.

Channel 4 has also commissioned BBC Studios to produce It’s Grime Up North (w/t) a brand new three-part series following the lives and exploits of a group of passionate young MCs on the Blackpool grime scene.

It’s Grime Up North (3×60’) was commissioned for Channel 4 by Formats Commissioning Editor Lee McMurray and Head of Formats Dom Bird. The series is produced by BBC Studios’ Auntie Productions whose Creative Directors are Sam Bickley and Samantha Anstiss. The executive producer is Kat Lennox and series producer is Danny Fildes.

Staff Reporter

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