The BBC has commissioned ‘Dragon Slayers’, a new six-part factual drama starring Matthew Rhys (The Americans, The Beast in Me, Widow’s Bay) as legendary newspaper editor Sir Harry Evans.
The series, which comes from AC Chapter One and Universal International Studios for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, will explore Evans’ time as editor of The Sunday Times, where his Insight team became synonymous with fearless investigative journalism. Written by BAFTA award-winner Peter Bowker (The A Word, Marvellous), the drama will look at a group of journalists who took on corporations, the legal establishment and, at times, the government itself.
Set in the 1970s, ‘Dragon Slayers’ will follow Harry Evans and his team as they pursue some of the biggest stories in UK history. These include the fight for the victims of Thalidomide, as the Insight team worked to expose the cover-ups surrounding the scandal, their investigation into the DC-10 crash, then the world’s worst air disaster, and their battle against treason charges after exposing Kim Philby as one of the most successful spies of the 20th century.
The drama will be based on wide-ranging research, published accounts and interviews with those who knew and worked with Evans, including his widow, editor, author and journalist Tina Brown CBE, and the Evans family.
“Telling the story of Harry Evans and the work of his Insight team is both a privilege and a joy. And having Matthew leading the cast is more than we could have hoped for. All of us are now united by a desire to honour the passion, doggedness and humour of this remarkable group of people. I hope the drama will make us take a fresh look at both journalism and that much maligned decade – the 1970s,” said Peter Bowker.
It is one of those ideas that feels both very BBC and very timely. Investigative journalism dramas can be tricky to get right, as they need to make a pile of documents, editorial meetings and legal jeopardy feel as tense as a car chase. However, with Bowker writing, Rhys leading the cast, and the team behind Mr Bates vs The Post Office involved, there is a very good chance this could become a gripping look at the people who went digging when others would rather they stopped asking questions.
“The generational impact of Harry and his magnificent team acts as a powerful reminder of how much democracy relies on a fearless press, and what would happen if they could no longer shed light where it is most needed,” adds Patrick Spence, Managing Director, AC Chapter One.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, comments: “Dragon Slayers is a rollercoaster story, each episode gripping and powerful, written with Pete Bowker’s signature wit and sense of purpose. The investigative stories which were broken by Harry and his team carry as much power and purpose today as they did at the time. It’s a real coup that the wonderful Matthew Rhys will star as the iconic Harry Evans.”
“At a time when stories of this nature are imperative, I am thrilled to be a part of this show,” adds Matthew Rhys.
Tina Brown comments: “I could not be more thrilled that such a talented and creative team has come together to bring to the screen some of Harry’s most inspiring journalistic achievements at the Sunday Times, and that the brilliant and versatile Matthew Rhys will be playing him.”
‘Dragon Slayers’ will run as one 90-minute episode and five 60-minute episodes. The series is written by Peter Bowker, who also executive produces, and Annalisa Dinnella (Sex Education, The Hack). Al Mackay (The Cage, Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story) directs, with executive producers Patrick Spence (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, A Spy Among Friends), Matthew Rhys, and Joe Williams (Mr Bates vs The Post Office). Natasha Romaniuk (The Split, Outrageous) produces, with casting by Shaheen Baig (Adolescence, Peaky Blinders). The series is distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.
‘Dragon Slayers’ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK. 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. Visit Never Miss.
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