Production has started in Manchester, on Russell T Davies’ new BBC drama, Years and Years.
It’s been announced today that Emma Thompson will join the cast, alongside Jessica Hynes, Rory Kinnear, Ruth Madeley, T’Nia Miller, Anne Reid and Russell Tovey.
Made by MediaCityUK’s Red Production Company, the 6-part BBC One drama will chart one family over the course of 15 years.
“No other writer could have written such an original, important and entertaining state-of-the-nation drama, with a family at its centre that an audience will want to spend time with. I’m thrilled a cast of this calibre will bring them to life,” said Nicola Shindler CEO StudioCanal UK and executive producer for Red Production Company.
The story follows the Lyons, as their lives converge on one crucial night in 2019. Then over the next 15 years against a background of unstable politics, economics and technological advances, we find out if this ordinary family could ever change the world.
Two-time Oscar winner, Thompson plays Vivienne Rook, an outspoken celebrity turned political figure whose controversial opinions divide the nation. She’s a new breed of politician, an entertainer, a rebel, a trickster, and her rise to power leads us into an unknown future.
Bafta-nominated Kinnear (Spectre, Peterloo) is Stephen Lyons, a financial advisor and the family’s peacekeeper who is married to Celeste played by T’Nia Miller, (Obey, Marcella), an ambitious and opinionated accountant.
Tovey (The History Boys, Quantico) is Stephen Lyons’ brother, Danial and their sister, Edith is played by Jessica Hynes (Paddington 2, W1A).
“This is a dream cast, put together by Andy Pryor, the man who found Jodie Whittaker to be Doctor Who. I’m very lucky, and very excited to start filming,” added Russell T Davies.
The series is a co-production between BBC One, HBO and Canal+.
“HBO is thrilled to once again partner with the BBC and to be joining Red Production Company in showcasing the stellar work of Russell T Davies and Emma Thompson with this sweeping family saga which captures the spirit of our time,” said Casey Bloys, president HBO programming.
The 6×60-minute drama is directed by Simon Cellan Jones (Our Friends In The North, Jessica Jones, Boardwalk Empire).
[Photo Credit: Nick Haddow]
