Airdate: Our Zoo

Next week BBC First premieres six part drama Our Zoo, based on the real story of the Mottershead family who established the cage-free Chester Zoo in the 1930s.

Lee Ingleby stars as the single-mindedGeorge Mottershead who drove himself and his family to realise his ambition to transform a ramshackle house, on the outskirts of Chester, into a unique zoo that would change the way animals are kept for forever.

It also features Anne Reid, Liz White, Ralph Little, Peter Wight, Stephen Campbell-Moore, Sophia Myles.

This premiered in the UK in September.

The drama follows George’s inspiring and challenging journey as he moves his wife, two young daughters and parents – along with a monkey and a parrot – into a draughty old stately home. With a derelict plot of land, mounting debts, no resources or manpower and a concerted campaign from the local villagers to halt George’s plans entirely.

It’s a race against time for the Mottersheads to build and open their zoo before the harsh winter sets in – or the bailiffs arrives.

Mondays at 8.30pm from November 10 BBC First.