BBC Two & Riz Ahmed Team for British Pakistani Family Drama

BBC Two has ordered the new original drama series Englistan, created by Riz Ahmed (The Night Of).

The 9×1-hour drama is produced by BBC Studios Drama London in association with Left Handed Films. Englistan tells the story of three generations of a British Pakistani family, the Latifs: Jamal and Fatima, their children Ashraf, Razia and Asim, and their grandchildren Zahed, Naseem and Ayesha. Viewers follow them as they pursue their dreams over four tumultuous decades, navigating shifting circumstances and evolving loyalties.

Ahmed commented: “I’m excited to be working with Esther Springer and all the team at BBC Studios. Englistan is an untold British story with universal themes and resonance. It’s the story I always wanted to tell, and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to do so.”

Patrick Holland, controller of BBC Two, said: “Riz Ahmed is a phenomenal talent and Englistan promises to be a hugely ambitious, layered and resonant drama about family and identity. New writing, massive canvas, the biggest issues; it is a perfect drama for BBC Two.”

Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama, said: “Set against the familiar backdrop of the late 20th but from a point of view which feels entirely new, Englistan is the story of the birth of multicultural Britain as seen from the inside. We are honored to be working with Riz on this epic, deeply personal story.”

Esther Springer, BBC Studios’ executive producer, added: “It is an honor to work on such an ambitious and powerful story, created by Riz Ahmed whose vision for this drama is so clear, so focused and so beautiful. I’m thrilled Patrick Holland, Piers Wenger and Lucy Richer have committed to telling this important story and made BBC Two Englistan’s home.”