New UK drama for writer Russell T. Davies

Former Doctor Who showrunner and Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davies has a new UK drama in the pipeline, Years And Years.

The six part BBC series follows the lives of a single family over 15 years as they are rocked by unstable political, economic and technological advances. It will be produced by StudioCanal owned Red Production Company.

Russell T. Davies says: “I’ve wanted to write this for 20 years or so. And as the world accelerates like crazy around us, I realised I’d better get on with it! It’s a joy to be back home with RED, and an honour to be on BBC One.”

Piers Wenger, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning, says: “Russell T. Davies is a master storyteller and we are utterly thrilled to be bringing his unique and captivating original drama, Years And Years, to BBC One.”

Casting is yet to be announced, and the series is expected to go into production later this year.

Years And Years follows the Lyons, a busy Manchester family. Daniel’s getting married to Ralph, Stephen and Celeste worry about their kids, Rosie’s chasing a new fella and Edith hasn’t been home for years. Presiding over them all is Gran, the imperial Muriel. But when their lives all converge on one crucial night in 2019, the story accelerates into the future, following the lives and loves of the Lyons over the next 15 years.

And what a world! Everything we fear, and everything we hope for, is happening around this tight-knit family. Society is hotter, faster, madder, with the turmoil of politics, technology and distant wars affecting the Lyons in their day-to-day lives. Britain withdraws from Europe, America becomes a lone wolf, China asserts itself, and a new world begins to form.

But someone’s taking advantage: MP Vivienne Rook begins her rise to power, one of that new breed of politician – an entertainer, a rebel, a trickster and a terror, leading them into an unknown future. Set against this, the Lyons have to navigate their everyday hopes and fears, knowing that one ordinary family could never change the world… or could they?