Noah Media Group is behind a new three-part docuseries, South of the River, for BT Sport Films.

The series began production pre-Covid and will be broadcast on BT Sport from 23rd November.

Created by Noah Media Group’s Gabriel Clarke (Finding Jack Charlton – BBC, Bobby Robson: More Than a Manager – Netflix, Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans – Official Selection, Cannes, Out of Their Skin – ITV), directed by Jay Gill (Out of Their Skin – ITV, John Barnes Life Stories – ITV) and with former Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand serving as an Executive Producer, South of the River tells the stories of some of English and international football’s most high-profile young players.

The talent pool emerging from a densely populated strip of South London is extraordinary and over the years has included some of England’s top players: Jadon Sancho (Manchester United & England), Joe Gomez (Liverpool & England), Tammy Abraham (Roma & England) Aaron Wan Bissaka (Manchester Utd), Declan Rice (West Ham & England), Ademola Lookman (RB Leipzig), Ryan Sessegnon (Tottenham), Michail Antonio (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) & many more.

The series will explore the stories of these young stars who, in the last three years, have emerged from statistically underprivileged postcodes of South London – now globally recognised as one of the most productive areas for young footballing talent – to the bright lights of multi-billion-pound UEFA club competitions.

A central focus of the three-part narrative is the next generation of up-and-coming, ambitious and highly talented youngsters; teenagers from the same area, who look up to former and current professional players as role models, and who are just starting out on their own journeys, facing the same social challenges. Powerful contributions from key supporting cast (coaches who have helped change lives, talent scouts, community leaders, friends and family) will showcase the reality of life for these young people in South London

Jadon Sancho has become one of the most recognised players in the world with Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and the England national team. Sancho will share his individual experiences about his journey from South London into the world of European professional football.

Former Manchester United and England star, and now lead BT Sport analyst Rio Ferdinand, grew up in Peckham, and has followed the emergence of today’s stars. He said, “It’s great that the area of London I grew up in is getting the recognition it deserves – it’s a talent factory like no other. You’ll hear from me and many others who, against the odds, have been lucky enough to represent South London in the biggest clubs and international competitions in the world. South of the River shines a light on what makes the place so special and the obstacles that need to be overcome, whilst showcasing the next generation who are daring to dream by following in our footsteps. I’m proud to be from… South of the River”.

Sally Brown, BT Sport Films Executive Producer & Commissioning Editor added “I have long-admired the quality of Noah Media’s long form documentary output and was excited to work with them on South of the River. Their approach to storytelling fits in well with ours and I’m thrilled to be able to add this 3-part series to the award-winning BT Sport Films stable. It joins a very exciting Autumn line up of titles on BT Sport including the recent Standing Firm: Football’s Windrush Story, Glenn Hoddle: Extra Time and The Special 1”.

South of the River is also Executive Produced by Noah Media Group’s Simon Corney (Out of Their Skin – ITV, All Around – Olympic Channel, Beyond Human – Discovery+) and John McKenna (Finding Jack Charlton – BBC, Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans– Official Selection, Cannes) who said “We are delighted to be collaborating on this fascinating Series with BT Sport Films. It is great to add BT Sport Films as a documentary partner for Noah and we hope this will be the first of many collaborations. We are excited to have developed a series that includes incredible themes, narratives and characters – delivering what we always aim for: a documentary about much more than the sport itself”.

Noah’s in-house international sales and distribution arm, NoahX, will be handling international sales on behalf of both BT Sport and Noah Media Group.

Jon Creamer

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