1 month ago
Oliver Savell, who has been doubly BAFTA nominated for his domiciled arsenic a young Alan Carr successful Changing Ends, is starring nan BBC’s adjustment of Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.
The adaptation, which is being overseen by One Day author David Nicholls pinch writers including Caitlin Moran, comes astir 30 years aft nan erstwhile Townsend drama. First look has conscionable dropped and nan show will motorboat adjacent year.
A nationwide hunt has taken spot to find Savell, who will play nan lead from nan iconic book aboout an awkward teen successful Margaret Thatcher-era Britain. The show starts successful 1981 arsenic Adrian originates his diary astir family life and being a teen earlier nan advent of mobile phones and societal media. With only a ballpoint pen arsenic his guide, Adrian worries astir his spots, his parents’ divorce, nan torment of first emotion and nan truth he’s ne'er seen a female nipple.
Savell is joined by Lisa McGrillis (Rivals, Mum), who plays his mother Pauline, and Colin Hoult (After Life, Slow Horses), his begetter George. Pam Ferris (Matilda, Darling Buds of May) joins nan formed arsenic Grandma, Galaxie Clear (Extra Geography, Secret Service) is Pandora and Alun Armstrong (The Choral, Breeders) is Bert. Other formed besides announced coming see Jude Forsey arsenic Nigel, Rory Keenan arsenic Mr Lucas, David Wilmot arsenic Mr Scruton and Karl Collins arsenic Mr Cherry.
Savell has doubly been nominated for his domiciled successful ITV’s semi-autobiographical Changing Ends — including astatine nan upcoming BAFTAs — which is astir nan early life of Carr and stars nan Celebrity Traitors winner arsenic himself.
The adjustment is being produced by Outlaws maker Big Talk Studios. Overseen by Nicholls, nan starry writers room features Caitlin Moran, Caroline Moran, Dillon Mapletoft, Oliver Taylor and Jack Rooke.
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ (9×30’) is simply a Big Talk Studios accumulation for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The bid was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. The head is Alex Winckler (Somewhere Boy, Mary and George) and nan shaper is Charlotte Robinson (A Thousand Blows). The executive producers are Kenton Allen and Luke Alkin for Big Talk Studios, and Nicholls and Winckler. The property of Sue Townsend is represented by Jane Villiers astatine Sayle Screen. Big Talk is portion of ITV Studios. Filming is underway successful and astir Hartlepool and nan bid is owed to aerial adjacent year.
