BBC Orders Ska/Two Tone Drama From Peaky Blinders Creator Steven Knight & Kudos
With the ‘Peak Blinders’ series over the BBC are keen to stay in business with its Academy Award-nominee and Bafta Award-winning creator, so have ordered a new series set in the world of ska and two-tone music.
Steven Knight (‘Peaky Blinders’, ‘SEE’) will create a new original series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, currently titled ‘Two Tone’ (working titile), that tells the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and two-tone music, which grew from the grassroots of Coventry and Birmingham in the late 70s and early 80s. The music united black, white and Asian youths in an expression of unity.
“This is a project that’s literally very close to home and I’m developing characters and themes that are set in the early 80s but hopefully are very contemporary. Of course, the soundtrack will be sensational,” said Knight.
The six-part series will be produced by Kudos, a Banijay UK Company, and Nebulastar, in association with Kudos North, Stigma Films and Nick Angel. It will start filming later this year in Birmingham.
“Steven has taken his knowledge of this time and place and used it to weave a brilliantly original and characterful drama, set against the musical backdrop of ska and two-tone,” adds Ben Irving, Acting Director of BBC Drama. “We are thrilled to be able to bring this unique piece to viewers on the BBC.”
Knight is heavily invested in bringing film and tv projects to Birmingham. So much so, he is building a new Film and TV studio in Digbeth, close to the real-life Peaky Blinders turf. The studio will repurpose existing buildings to preserve the spirit and character of an area’s original Victorian architecture, alongside some new builds. It will not only serve as the filming location for ‘Two Tone’, but also for the upcoming ‘Peaky Blinders’ movie.
“Steven’s passion for this project is palpable so I couldn’t be more excited to be making it for BBC One,” said Karen Wilson, Kudos Executive Producer. “Set in the West Midlands, against a moment of real cultural and historical progression, it will be compelling, diverse and will have a rocking soundtrack to boot.”
‘Two Tone’ (w/t) is created, written and executive produced by Steven Knight. Executive Producers are Karen Wilson, Martin Haines, Phil Temple and Laura Conway (Kudos), Matthew James Wilkinson (Stigma Films), Nick Angel and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC. Banijay Rights will handle international distribution for the series. Further details will be announced in due course.
