Tag Archive: BAFTA

  1. BBC iPlayer and CBBC Commission New Content from Zodiak Kids

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    Zodiak Kids, part of Banijay Group, today announces it is producing a brand-new comedy drama for BBC iPlayer – Flatmates, as well as a further series of multi-award-winning comedy drama, Secret Life of Boys, for CBBC and ABC Me.

     

    Flatmates follows the lives of young Gen-z’ers as they take their first uncertain steps into adulthood. Getting to grips with the next stage of growing up the group wrestle with the expectations and anxiety of trying to fulfil the ‘Millennial Dream’.

     

    Struggling with the realities of independent living are Lauren, a scatty, ambitious young woman, determined to go places, she just doesn’t know where, her dependable and lovesick ‘boyfriend’ Declan, and deluded and insecure step-brother, DJ Craig. The odds are stacked against them as they grapple with the world of work, dating, and new friends, but from their point of view, it’s an exhilarating, intoxicating leap into freedom; and they’ll do anything to make it work.

     

    The BAFTA-winning series Secret Life of Boys returns for a fourth series with another 10 x 22’ episodes for broadcast on CBBC and ABC ME. The series has been scooped its fifth award this month winning its second Broadcast Digital Award for Best Children’s Content.  Series two also picked up a Broadcast Digital Award as well as the RTS Northern Ireland Award in the Children and/or Animation category. The accolades follow the prestigious Children’s BAFTA Award for Interactive: Original and the Kidscreen Award for Best Web/App Series, which was given to series one.

     

    Series 4 of Secret Life of Boys picks up with sixteen-year-old Ginger having adjusted nicely to living in the UK.

    She starts the summer on a mission to travel across Canada with best friend Heath. Robbie wants to grow up

    fast and having put his dreams of owning a motorbike on hold, he decides to refocus on his band which is going on a tour through Germany! With Ginger and Robbie away, the series introduces some new characters and Corey and Bob are both hard at work this summer on their own projects, prompting them to call on Bob’s mother to help with the kids. Unfortunately, Granny Bob’s idea of ‘helping’ isn’t quite what they expected…

     

    Steven Andrew, Creative Director, Zodiak Kids Studios comments: “Flatmates represents the significant journey we all make from childhood to adulthood. With a balance of drama and comedy, the show taps perfectly into BBC iPlayer’s millennial following and has all the elements we hope will make it a bingeable success. Secret Life of Boys continues to go from strength to strength scooping up its fifth award this month across three series.”

     

    Flatmates will be executive produced by Zodiak Kids‘ Creative Director, Steven Andrew, and Raymond Lau will serve as producer. It was commissioned by CBBC’s Melissa Hardinge. The 10 x 30’ youth-targeted series will launch this month on the platform.

     

    Creator and lead writer Anthony Q. Farrell (The Office) is executive producing Secret Life of Boys alongside Trevor Klein and Zodiak Kids Studio’s Creative Director Steven Andrew. The Executive Producer for CBBC is Amy Buscombe, and for ABC, Jan Stradling.  The series will launch on CBBC Autumn 2019.

     

    Zodiak Kids own international distribution rights to both series.

     

  2. On the Edge Drama Anthology Championing Fresh New Talent Returns

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    On The Edge, Channel 4’s BAFTA nominated anthology of (3×30) short films is back for a second series. The films, produced by BlackLight Television, a Banijay Group company, and written and directed by the most exciting new talent in the UK, look at the lives of three diverse characters trying to find their place in the world.

     

    This year, the films focus on three unusual love stories depicting characters and worlds not often seen on British TV. With humour, truthfulness and warmth, the anthology asks: how do we navigate today’s complicated world? How do we share our inner challenges with the ones we love? And how do we form connections despite, or perhaps because of, our differences?

     

    The cast across the anthology include BAFTA winner Jack Rowan (Born to Kill, Peaky Blinders), BAFTA nominated Amanda Redman (New Tricks, The Good Karma Hospital), Michael Socha (This is England ’90, Electric Dreams), Catherine Steadman (Downton Abbey, Victoria), Rudi Dharmalingam (The Split, Dark Money), Andi Osho (Kiri, Curfew), Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, In the Club) WhatsOnStage Award winner Jamael Westman (Hamilton) and introducing newcomers India Eva Rae and Juliet Okotie.

     

    On The Edge is developed though the 4Stories initiative, the channel’s commitment to finding brand new diverse talent.

     

    Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4, said: “It’s such a privilege to be able to give a voice to the very best new writing and directing talent in On The Edge, 4Stories. This year’s films have a thrilling, fresh perspective on modern Britain, and are told with heart, humour and utter fearlessness.”

     

    Philip Trethowan, Executive Producer for BlackLight Television, said: “We are delighted to be working with Channel 4 once again to introduce the best new writing and directing talent to the industry. Supporting such exciting and diverse emerging talent is something we are incredibly proud of and it is fantastic that Channel 4 provide the platform to make their voices heard.”

    About the films:

     

    Adulting

    Adulting is a moving story about a neuro-diverse girl and a lost boy. Candice (India Eva Rae) is a young vulnerable woman who desperately wants some independence and has moved into her own flat. Kems (Jack Rowan – Born to Kill) is a young man, down on his luck, sleeping on his mate Olly’s (Michael Socha – This is England ’90) sofa to get away from his alcoholic dad. A chance meeting between the two leads to an intimate friendship, but when Olly calls in a favour, Kems feels under pressure to take advantage of Candice. Have they all underestimated her?

     

    Written by Chinonyerem Odimba and directed by Ash Morris.

     

    For You

     

    For You is a funny and heartbreaking story about mental health. Rev (Rudi Dharmalingam – The Split) and girlfriend Alex (Catherine Steadman – Downton Abbey) are passionately in love but Rev suffers from anxiety and depression which he tries to control with therapy, medication and mindfulness. Things come to a head at Alex’s sister’s wedding weekend when Rev is confronted by her family’s prejudice. Will the pressure be too much to bear? Can Rev and Alex’s relationship survive? And will he ever be able to master a golf swing in front of his father in law? Also stars Amanda Redman (New Tricks) as Alex’s mother.

     

    Written by J C Servante and directed by Stroma Cairns.

     

    BBW

     

    BBW is a funny, vibrant and heartwarming coming of age tale about a young plus-size British Nigerian woman trying to find her voice. Everyone in Remi’s (Juliet Okotie) life thinks they know what she should do. Her father (Jude Akuwudike – Fortitude) wants her forgiveness, her mother (Andi Osho – Kiri) wants her to grow up and get a job, her friends (Paisley Billings – Tattoo Fixers and Rose-Marie Christian) think she’s too trusting of her new man (Jamael Westman – Hamilton). Remi just wants her life to begin but will she ever be able to take control?

     

    Written by Yolanda Mercy and directed by William Stefan Smith.