UKTV has joined with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television to co-commission new period drama Chocolate Wars (w/t – 6×60’), produced by Fable Pictures, in association with Alfresco Pictures, and written by Chloë Mi Lin Ewart (Curfew, All Creatures Great and Small, Beyond Paradise).
The series will launch on free-streaming service U in 2027.
Casting is now underway, with filming in Birmingham set to begin this Summer. Sony Pictures Television will handle worldwide sales as international distributor, with Creative UK providing regional support through the ERDF funded West Midlands Production Fund.
Chocolate Wars is billed as a warm-hearted family drama following the visionary Cadbury family, the underdogs of the cocoa world, on their journey towards creating the world-famous Cadbury’s chocolate bar.
In 1860s Birmingham, when chocolate as we know it doesn’t yet exist, two very different brothers, Richard and George Cadbury, find themselves in charge of their family’s failing cocoa business. Between them, they have the radical genius and burning ambition to turn Cadbury’s into one of the world’s most beloved confectioners. But first, they must learn to trust and rely on each other. And to stop bickering for long enough to actually invent some chocolate! Their sister Maria is navigating her own role within the family and the business, but things become even more complicated when she falls in love with Cadbury’s biggest rival, and is forced to question where her true loyalties really lie. Infused with historical delights and magical invention, Chocolate Wars is about how we build, break and rebuild the bonds of family – and how the sweetest things in life are rarely simple.
Chocolate Wars has been commissioned by Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning at UKTV, and ordered by Emma Tibbetts, director of scripted programming, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. The series is produced by Fable Pictures in association with Alfresco Pictures and executive produced by Faye Ward, Freddie Highmore, Hannah Price and Claire Londy with Helen Perry for UKTV and Jess O’Riordan and Jon Farrar for BritBox. Directors for the series will be Tom McKay (After the Flood, Ten Pound Poms, There She Goes) and Jill Robertson (The Good Girls Guide to Murder, Ludwig, Dalgleish), with Hannah Farrell from Fable Pictures as series producer. Chloë Mi Lin Ewart leads the writing team, alongside Eve Hedderwick Turner and Karim Khan.
Helen Perry said: “Chocolate Wars is a delicious concoction of period family saga, blended with true story and a dash of Wonka-esque magic. We know audiences are in for a treat and we’re grateful to Fable Pictures for bringing to life this irresistible feel-good drama and to Chloë Mi Lin Ewart for realising the Cadbury’s story with such invention. We look forward to joining forces with BritBox and Sony to offer this undeniably joyous tale to viewers.”
Emma Tibbetts added: “I can’t wait to unwrap the story of the Cadbury family and for viewers to be captivated by the delicious tale of the underdogs in the cocoa world. The series is a perfect fit for our audience.”
Faye Ward and Hannah Farrell commented: “Chocolate Wars captures the kind of storytelling we love at Fable, epic human dramas about outsiders, dreamers and visionaries who reshape the world around them”
Jess O’Riordan, commissioning executive and executive producer, BritBox said: “Full of warmth and charm, this true story brings the Cadbury family story to life with depth and imagination. We’re excited to partner with UKTV, Sony Pictures Television and Fable Pictures on a period drama we know BritBox audiences will truly savour.”
As global distributor, Sony Pictures Television will introduce Chocolate Wars to international clients at the studio’s 2026 L.A. Screenings Showcase. The annual event, which takes place at the historic Sony Pictures Lot in Culver City, Los Angeles, is happening this Sunday, May 17th.
Chocolate Wars (w/t) is a brand-new U&Original commission and will launch on free-streaming service, U, in 2027. The series will also be available on free-to-air channel, U&DRAMA.
Jon Creamer
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