The BBC has unveiled ‘California Avenue’, a new six-part drama from acclaimed writer-director Hugo Blick (The English, The Honourable Woman), featuring a truly stellar cast. Bill Nighy (Living, About Time), Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown, Nolly), Erin Doherty (The Crown, Adolescence), and Tom Burke (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, The Souvenir) lead the series, which is set in a 1970s caravan park deep in the English countryside.
Described as a story filled with humour and love, ‘California Avenue’ follows Lela (Doherty) and her 11-year-old child as they arrive at a remote, canal-side caravan park in search of refuge. As they settle into this hidden world, long-buried tensions surface, fractured family ties are tested, and unexpected love begins to bloom.
Nighy and Bonham Carter play Lela’s parents, Jerry and Eddie, while Burke stars as a charismatic outcast named Cooper. The series marks the latest collaboration between Blick, Drama Republic, Eight Rooks and the BBC, building on their past successes, including The English and Black Earth Rising.
“California Avenue is an exploration of the people who inspired me to want to do this,” said Blick. “Over the past few decades, whether through comedy, political dramas or even a western, I’ve looked to explore what television fiction can be.”
Greg Brenman of Drama Republic 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.”
California Avenue is written, directed and executive produced by Hugo Blick for Eight Rooks. The series is produced by Colin Wratten (The English, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth) with executive producers including Greg Brenman for Drama Republic, Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter, and Lucy Richer for the BBC.
Filming is set to begin this summer in and around Hertfordshire, with additional casting still to come.
‘California Avenue’ will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
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