Boarders, a new coming of age comedy drama created by BAFTA nominated Daniel Lawrence Taylor (Timewasters), has been commissioned for BBC Three.

The six-part series produced by Studio Lambert follows the lives of five underprivileged black students from inner-city London who win scholarships to an elite boarding school.

Stepping out of the urban metropolis and into a world they can only describe as something out of Harry Potter, our leads will experience the highs and lows of boarding school: learning about themselves, their identity and what life on the other side looks like – which they discover is nothing like life in zone 3.

Creator and Lead Writer, Daniel Lawrence Taylor, says: “As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow momentum, and the world is becoming more aware of black struggles in white institutions, a show like Boarders has never been more relevant or ripe for comedy. Working with Studio Lambert and the BBC has been an absolute joy, and I’ve also bagged myself some of the most exciting Black British voices to help me bring this show to the screen”. 

Susan Hogg, Head of Drama, Studio Lambert says: “We are so excited to bring this bold and original series to BBC Three and iPlayer. Daniel has the courage to tackle a tough premise through the lens of comedy. Boarders is at once heartfelt and hilarious”.

Fiona Campbell, Controller of BBC Three, says: “We couldn’t be happier that Boarders will be coming to BBC Three and to be working with Daniel and this fantastic team of writers. He is an incredible talent and like the best series do, we know this one will make audiences laugh and will leave them thinking.”

Lawrence Taylor created, wrote and starred in Timewasters for which he was nominated for a BAFTA for best scripted comedy, and won the 2018 Royal Television Society award for Best Breakthrough. He was also a 2018 BAFTA Breakthrough Brit.

Joining him in the Boarders writers room will be Emma Dennis-Edwards, Yemi Oyefuwa and Ryan Calais Cameron. The series will be script edited by Missy Howard.

Boarders (6×45’) has been commissioned by Ben Irving, Acting Director of Drama, and Fiona Campbell, Controller of BBC Three. It will be Executive Produced by Daniel Lawrence Taylor, Susan Hogg and Maddie Sinclair for Studio Lambert, and Ayela Butt and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC.

Jon Creamer

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