Seven joins ITV co-production, Mrs Biggs.
Seven joins a new ITV drama based on the life of the ex-wife of the Great Train Robbery mastermind, ‘Ronnie’ Biggs.
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Seven has become a production partner in a new ITV drama, Mrs Biggs, based on the life of Charmian Biggs, ex-wife of the Great Train Robbery mastermind, ‘Ronnie’ Biggs.
The five-part series is to be filmed in London, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Paris, Rio de Janiero, and Adelaide and Melbourne -the Australian cities reflecting the years that Biggs lived and worked here for 4 years, whilst on the run.
Mrs Biggs will chronicle Charmian’s life from the moment she first met and fell in love with Biggs, to their years in Australia and the heartbreak of his rejection after he fled to Rio de Janeiro.
December Films is also a co-producer.
Ronald Biggs infamously worked at GTV9, including as a carpenter on Graham Kennedy’s dressing room.
Seven’s Head of Scheduling and Acquisitions, Angus Ross, said, “It’s a story of international significance, but it’s particularly significant here in Australia where Ronnie and Charmian spent so much time hiding out after he fled the UK,” he said. “It’s also a rollicking good yarn, and very moving too. It promises to make for great TV viewing which Australians audiences will love.”
Written and executive produced by Jeff Pope, (The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, See No Evil: The Moors Murders, Appropriate Adult as executive producer) said: “Charmian’s is one of the great untold stories of the 20th Century, set against the backdrop of one of the greatest crimes of all times. But at the heart of it is a simple love story between Charmian and Ron.
“The story is, on one level, about a young family coming to Australia in the 60s, when it was a land of opportunity and discovery. We always knew we were going to need an Australian partner and the Seven Network were committed and supportive right from the word go. We are looking forward to working with Seven on the telling of this great adventure.”
Mrs Biggs will be produced by Kwadjo Dajan (Appropriate Adult as co-producer) and directed by Paul Whittington (Vera, DCI Banks) and air in 2013, the 50th anniversary of the Great Train Robbery.
Filming begins in Manchester in February 2012 before moving to Australia, and will continue for eleven weeks.