BBC Commissions Lost Boys and Fairies

BBC Drama and BBC Cymru Wales have co-commissioned the new drama Lost Boys and Fairies from the Leeds-based indie Duck Soup Films.

The 4×1-hour series is created and written by Welsh writer Daf James. The series follows Gabriel, a singer and artist extraordinaire at Cardiff’s queer club space Neverland, and his partner Andy as they adopt their first child.

Lost Boys and Fairies is James’ first original screenplay for the BBC. He developed the project with Duck Soup Films as part of BBC Writersroom’s TV Drama Writers’ Programme 2019.

Lost Boys and Fairies will be set and filmed in Wales starting next year.

The show marks Duck Soup Films’ first commission for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It will be distributed by All3Media International.

The news was announced at the Wales Screen Summit.

James said: “It means the world to me that this queer, Welsh adoption story has found its home on BBC One. It’s a story I’m deeply passionate about, and I can’t overstate how indebted I am to Duck Soup Films and the BBC for empowering me to tell it authentically and without compromise.”

Jessica Brown Meek, co-founder of Duck Soup Films, said: “We are delighted to be bringing the wonderful Daf James’ extraordinary storytelling to a worldwide audience working with the brilliant teams at the BBC and All3Media International.”

Ben Irving, acting director of BBC Drama, added: “Daf’s voice is utterly unique, and this story is full of heart and magic. We hope it will strike a chord with almost everyone. We’re thrilled to have been able to support Daf to develop this beautiful drama through Writersroom, and now to be bringing it to life for audiences on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.”

Nick Andrews, head of commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales, said: “Daf has written something very beautiful, relevant and necessary. We are thrilled to be working with the team at Duck Soup Films. This is the latest in a whole number of co-commissions with BBC Drama which puts Wales and Welsh talent on screen for audiences across the U.K.”