The BBC has announced the cast for upcoming “near-future” drama ‘The Dream Lands‘ from BAFTA-winner Kayleigh Llewellyn will include Pascale Kann, Anna Friel, Connor Swindells, Clara Rugaard, Katherine Parkinson, and Golda Rosheuvel.
The six-part coming-of-age drama is in a near-future Margate, against a backdrop of soaring inequality. It follows the story of Chance and her family, a young woman who discovers life and love, while being forced to fight for her family and friends’ survival in a world that’s crumbling around her.
It’s 2039 and temperatures are soaring, seas are rising, and the political climate is equally as menacing. Chance is living a life of crime just to get by, when her community is singled out for a government rejuvenation scheme, promising to bring her coastal town back to life. But when Chance falls in love with Franky, a girl with ties to the establishment, she and those closest to her begin to realise that all may not be as it seems.
‘The Dream Lands’ is a thrilling voyage of romantic awakening and self-discovery, a defiant community fighting back. A high stakes relationship drama set against a backdrop of conspiracy, the story blazes with the enduring power of love and hope, in a world spinning out of control.
Newcomer Pascale Kann (September Says) takes the lead role as Chance, a fiercely loyal, intelligent, and hyper-vigilant 17-year-old who’s been forced to become her family’s protector from an early age in a world that never lets up.
The drama also stars Emmy award-winner Anna Friel (Marcella, Broken) as Jas, Connor Swindells (SAS Rogue Heroes, Sex Education, Barbie) as Kole, Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother, Black Mirror) as Franky, BAFTA award-winner Katherine Parkinson (Rivals, Significant Other) as Antonia, Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton, Dune: Part One) as Iona, Jacob Greenway (The Watchers, Father Brown) as JD, Tareq Al-Jeddal (Ridley, Maternal) as Nye, Scarlett Rayner (Trying, Silverpoint) as Stevie, Ruby Bridle (Gates, Casualty) as Nugget, and Raphael Sowole (The Crow Girl, Apartment 7A) as Trevor.
for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Based on Rosa Rankin-Gee’s enthralling novel Dreamland, the series is brought to life for TV by BAFTA award-winning writer Kayleigh Llewellyn (In My Skin, Killing Eve). It is directed by Erika Calmeyer (Tore, Young Royals) and Myriam Raja (Top Boy, Tehzeeb) and is produced by Jon Jennings (Sex Education, Renegade Nell).
“I’m completely awed by this stellar ensemble, all brought together under the expert eye of our casting director, Rachel Sheridan,” said Kayleigh Llewellyn, writer and executive producer. “We feel incredibly lucky to be working with a cast that blends new young talent, who I believe are the stars of tomorrow, and acclaimed actors, who will be delving into areas we’ve never seen them explore before… I’m thrilled to see this world being brought to life by such a phenomenal cast and our visionary directors, Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja.”
The series is now filming in Margate and Bristol and is co-produced by SISTER (The Split, This Is Going to Hurt, Black Doves) and Universal International Studios (The Undeclared War, Everyone Else Burns).
“Chance’s journey is one of love and defiance against the odds,” add Executive Producers for SISTER, Naomi de Pear and Holly Pullinger. “Finding our Chance in Pascale Kann, alongside our exceptional ensemble cast that fully embodies the heart and soul of this world, is a true privilege. With the talented Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja directing, we’re excited for audiences to experience this powerful story.”
Produced by SISTER and Universal International Studios for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, ‘The Dream Lands’ was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. It is executive produced by Naomi de Pear (This is Going to Hurt, The Power) and Holly Pullinger (This is Going to Hurt, Eric) for SISTER, Kayleigh Llewellyn (In My Skin, Killing Eve, Chloe), author Rosa Rankin-Gee and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handle international sales of the series.
“It’s no surprise that Kayleigh’s heartfelt and captivating scripts have attracted a cast of such an outstanding calibre, with exciting new talent acting alongside established names already loved by BBC viewers,” commented Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. “I can’t wait to see them bring The Dream Lands to life.”
‘The Dream Lands‘ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC One and iPlayer. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
