ITV has commissioned new 6-part drama, set in Sheffield during the early 1980s.
Brief Encounters will star Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders, Dickensian, Happy Valley, Episodes), Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey), Angela Griffin (Lewis, Waterlook Road) and Sharon Rooney (My Mad Fat Diary).
The “frank, fresh and funny” series is being made by CPL Productions and tells the story of Steph (Rundle), who feels invisible, until Ann Summers party planning comes into her life.
“Brief Encounters is a refreshingly different domestic drama taking us back to the wonderful world of the 1980s,” said ITV director of drama, Steve November.
“We’re really excited by this commission – it’s full of heart, story and great new characters and we’re very much looking forward to working with Danielle Lux, Arabella McGuigan and their production team at CPL.”
It’s been created and written by Fay Rusling and Oriane Messina (Green Wing, Me & Mrs Jones), and executive produced by CPL’s Arabella McGuigan and Danielle Lux alongside the writer-creators.
The producer is Jo Willett (Making of a Lady, Birds of a Feather) and the directors are Jill Robertson (Grantchester, Last Tango in Halifax), Marek Losey (Vera, Beowulf) and Joss Agnew (Mr Selfridge, Jekyll & Hyde)
“We’re delighted to have on board such a wonderful, inspiring cast to bring Brief Encounters boldly to life. Our four central female characters, their associated menfolk, mothers and friends are strong, relatable, surprising and funny and they’ll leap off the page in the hands of our stars. We can’t wait to see the first results,” added McGuigan.
This will be CPL’s first drama for ITV and it will be filmed in Sheffield at the end of the month.
