Speaking at the 2016 Edinburgh Television Festival, Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, has announced a range of ambitious (and quite exciting) commissions. ‘It’s been another exceptional year for BBC One, achieving its best peak time share since 2008 and cementing its place as the nation's most popular channel through a commitment to risk taking and innovation. Over the next year, BBC One will continue to challenge what mainstream television means and connect with an increasingly diverse UK.’
She added, ‘With audiences at the heart of every commission, I'm going to ensure BBC One keeps its finger on the pulse; entertaining an even bigger and broader audience with an unrivalled range of ambitious, world-class programmes that matter to modern Britain.’
Vicky McClure returns... Back in the line of fire as Kate Fleming.
Wowzer. So, what kind of shows are we talking about? Here are a few and don’t worry, a new series of Line of Duty is in there!
• Line Of Duty (Series 4)
It’s been revealed that Thandie Newton will star as guest lead in the fourth series of Jed Mercurio’s hit drama, Line Of Duty, when it moves to BBC One next year. Wait! We have to wait until 2017 for more AC12 antics? Boo!
Ahem… Thandie will join returning cast members Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar. Jason Watkins, Lee Ingleby and Royce Pierreson are also confirmed for the BBC One series.
• Noughts And Crosses
Charlotte Moore also announced an adaptation of the critically acclaimed young adult novel, Noughts and Crosses. Malorie Blackman’s story of ‘first love in a dangerous, adrenaline-fuelled fictional dystopia’ is to be adapted by Levi David Addai with Matthew Graham for a new BBC One series, produced by Mammoth Screen.
Abi Morgan will again be teaming up with exec producer Jane Featherstone.
• The Split
The Split is a new, original drama series from from BAFTA and Primetime Emmy award-winning acclaimed writer Abi Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour) and BAFTA-winning executive producer Jane Featherstone (Broadchurch, River, Humans), produced by Sister Pictures.
It examines the fast-paced circuit of high-powered female divorce lawyers, through the lens of three sisters - Hannah, Nina and the youngest, Rose. Hannah and Nina are leading divorce and family law lawyers working for rival firms, whilst Rose is still searching for her place in life.
• Bodyguard
BBC One has commissioned a new six-part drama series from the team behind critically-acclaimed drama series Line Of Duty. Created and written by Jed Mercurio and produced by World Productions, Bodyguard is a contemporary thriller featuring the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch (RaSP) of London's Metropolitan Police Service.
We'll travel to Edinburgh for Cathy's story in Trust Me.
• Trust Me
BBC One has also commissioned new Scottish drama, Trust Me, from RED Production Company - an original character-led thriller written by Dan Sefton for BBC One. This four-part drama series set in Edinburgh will tell the story of Cathy, a hardworking and skilled nurse, who, having lost her job for whistleblowing, is forced to take drastic measures to provide for her daughter.
So! What do you think? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!