Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Burke and Erin Doherty are joining forces
BBC is set to launch a new period drama starring an Adolescence star. Erin Doherty portrays the child psychologist Briony Ariston in the hit Netflix series and will return to screens in a new show.
Doherty joins Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Burke in new series called California Avenue. Created by the BAFTA-award-winning writer and director Hugo Blick, the six-part series is humorous love story set in 1970s.
It is set in a “secluded canal-side caravan park deep in the luscious English countryside, but its peaceful atmosphere is disrupted after Lela (Erin) and her 11-year-old child, who are on the run, look for refuge in this hidden world.”
BBC said: “A fractured family will come together, ghosts and demons will firmly be put to rest and an unexpected love is forged.” Bill and Helena will play Jerry and Eddie, Lela’s parents, while Tom co-stars as showman outcast, Cooper.
Filming for California Avenue begins in the summer in and around Hertfordshire. It is being created by Hugo, Drama Republic, Eight Rooks and the BBC.
Hugo, writer, director and executive producer for Eight Rooks, said: “Over the past few decades, whether through comedy, political dramas or even a western, I’ve looked to explore what television fiction can be. California Avenue is an exploration of the people who inspired me to want to do this.”
Greg Brenman, executive producer and Drama Republic co-founder, said California Adventure will showcase Hugo’s captivating storytelling.
He added: “In California Avenue, Hugo has conjured a world of precious relationships and unexpected revelations, all delivered with a big, big heart and generous humour. If you ever needed reminding of Hugo’s incredible range as a storyteller, look no further.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, is excited that the corporation will be working with Hugo, as well as Bill, Helena, Erin, Tom and Drama Republic
She said: “Hugo Blick has given us some of the finest television of the past three decades and it’s an honour to join forces with him alongside Bill, Helena, Erin, Tom and Drama Republic to take BBC viewers on the journey of a lifetime to 1970s California Avenue.”
California Avenue will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One – with an air date to be confirmed.
