Richard Gadd

Richard Gadd

Winner of the 2016 Edinburgh Comedy Award, who first came to prominence as a finalist in the 2011 Chortle Student Comedy Awards.
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BBC One orders a major new drama from Richard Gadd

Lions to span 40 years of a brotherly relationship

The BBC has ordered a six-part drama from 2016 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Richard Gadd.

Provisionally titled Lions, the show charts the relationship between two men over 40 years.

When Niall's estranged 'brother' Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives, from them meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults.

The BBC says it covers ‘all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way’ while capturing the ‘wild energy’ of Glasgow, where it is set.

The commission – one of 12 new dramas announced by the BBC today – comes ahead of the launch of Gadd’s Netflix series Baby Reindeer, based on his live show of the same name derived from his personal experience of being a victim of stalking.

Gadd said of his new project: ‘It is a dream come true to be part of such a historic broadcaster with a reputation for bringing the best comedy and drama (and comedy-drama for that matter) to our screens. A dream which will likely wear off when it comes to tight writing deadlines and rainy shooting days on the streets of Glasgow. Just joking. I have never been happier to work on anything in my life.’

The six 45-minute episodes are being made by Mam Tor, a production company based in London and Glasgow, for BBC One.

Executive producer Tally Garner said: ‘Richard has that rare gift of creating characters who challenge your senses while stealing your heart, and in Ruben and Niall he has created something very special.

And Lindsay Salt, director of BBC drama, said: ‘Richard Gadd's hugely imaginative, one-of-a-kind exploration of Niall, Ruben, and their intertwining lives is bold and brilliant storytelling that will make you sit up and lean in.

‘ This is a relationship you really haven’t seen before, and we can't wait to unpack it across six surprising, moving, funny, highly original episodes.’

Gadd won the main comedy award at the Edinburgh Fringe for his show, Monkey See Monkey Do, about the trauma of sexual assault. He was also a finalist in the 2011 Chortle Student Comedy Awards.

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Published: 11 Mar 2024

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