The BBC has unveiled a collection of exclusive images from “This Town,” the highly anticipated new drama series created by Steven Knight, the mastermind behind Peaky Blinders and SAS Rogue Heroes. The show features an ensemble cast including Michelle Dockery (known for Downton Abbey and Anatomy of a Scandal), Nicholas Pinnock (from Life and Marcella), David Dawson (seen in My Policeman and The Last Kingdom), and more.
Produced by Kudos, a subsidiary of Banijay UK, and Nebulastar for the BBC, with co-production support from Mercury Studios, in collaboration with Kudos North, Stigma Films, and Nick Angel, the series was filmed on location in the Birmingham area, as well as at Steven Knight’s new Digbeth Loc. Film and TV Studios.
Set in a world of family bonds, youthful rebellion, and the electrifying music of a generation, “This Town” narrates the formation of a band amidst a backdrop of violence, illustrating how artistic brilliance can arise from chaotic times.
Fronted by a dynamic cast of up-and-coming talents, the six-part series stars Levi Brown (known for Loss and Return), Jordan Bolger (featured in The Woman King and The Book of Boba Fett), Ben Rose (familiar from Line of Duty and The Innocents), and Eve Austin (seen in You and Our Ladies) as its four young protagonists.
The series will also showcase Geraldine James (Back To Life and Anne with an E), Peter McDonald (The Batman and Dublin Murders), Freya Parks (The School of Good and Evil and Here We Go), Shyvonne Ahmmad (Annika and Karen Pirie), John Heffernan (Dracula and The Pursuit of Love), Stefan Asante-Boateng (Coronation Street and Suffering), Séainín Brennan (The Fall and Hidden), George Somner (This Is Going To Hurt and Sex Education), and Brendan Gibson (Peaky Blinders and Mr Selfridge).
Blending elements of a high-octane thriller with a family saga, “This Town” kicks off in 1981, a period marked by significant social tensions and upheaval. Within this milieu, it chronicles the journeys of a group of youngsters battling to forge their own destinies, all of them yearning for the redemptive power that music provides.
Mercury Studios, a division of Universal Music Group, is a co-producer of the series and will bring in a diverse array of high-profile musical artists to create the backdrop for Knight’s extraordinary narrative. Esteemed producer Dan Carey, alongside the Brit and Mercury-nominated musician, novelist, and poet Kae Tempest, has composed the songs performed by the band in the series.
“This Town” is the brainchild of Steven Knight, who serves as creator, writer, and executive producer. It is helmed by director Paul Whittington and produced by Charlotte Surtees and Tim Whitby. Executive Producers include Karen Wilson, Martin Haines, and Katie McAleese for Kudos, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Laura Conway (Kudos North), Matthew James Wilkinson (Stigma Films), and Nick Angel are named as Co-Executive Producers. Banijay Rights will oversee the international distribution of the series.
