Four New Drama Commissions for BBC One

Four new fictional dramas have been commissioned for BBC One, including Gold Digger, written and created by Marnie Dickens (Thirteen).

Dark Mon£y comes from writer Levi David Addai (Damilola, Our Loved Boy), The Capture is the brainchild of writer-director Ben Chanan (Cyberbully) and Elizabeth is Missing is written by Andrea Gibb (Swallows and Amazons). Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content, said: “Marnie Dickens, Levi David Addai, Andrea Gibb and Ben Chanan are among the U.K.’s most exciting writing talent whose originality and flair will bring a bold new flavor to BBC One through their four different contemporary British stories. These new shows will stir emotions and get the nation talking because BBC One drama is at its best when it takes on subjects with heart that resonate with modern Britain.”

Gold Digger, produced by Mainstreet Pictures, tells the story of wealthy 60-year-old Julia as she falls in love with Benjamin, a man 25 years her junior. As this six-part series progresses, the impact their unconventional relationship has on her family is explored and the secrets of their past are revealed. Dickens commented: “I couldn’t be happier to be working with the BBC and Mainstreet on a drama that puts an older woman unequivocally at the heart of the action.”

Dark Mon£y is a four-part drama produced by The Forge. It follows as an ordinary London family decides to accept a substantial payoff from a renowned filmmaker to keep silent about the abuse of their youngest son. Addai commented: “I am extremely delighted to be given a fantastic opportunity by the BBC to present a drama which was birthed from my curiosity of what happens to those who have secretly accepted a substantial pay off from high profile figures. Dark Mon£y explores one family’s reason for accepting a financial settlement and whether this decision can ever help them move on, erase memories or replace justice.”

Produced by Heyday Television and NBCUniversal International Studios, The Capture is a surveillance thriller set in London. It begins with the unjust arrest of an innocent man and soon escalates into a multi-layered conspiracy of manipulated evidence. Chanan said: “I am delighted to be joining forces with BBC Drama and Heyday on The Capture: a wronged-man conspiracy thriller inspired by urgent questions about surveillance, misinformation and the murky ethics of video-fakery. I couldn’t be in better company for the ambitious journey ahead.”

Based on the best-selling novel by Emma Healey, Elizabeth is Missing is made by STV Productions. The 90-minute drama combines a mystery with an exploration of one woman’s struggle with dementia. Gibb said: “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to adapt this beautiful story. Emma has created an extraordinary heroine in Maud—she’s funny, tenacious, loyal—while also giving us a moving portrait of dementia from the inside out.”

Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama, said: “I’m delighted to announce four new drama commissions for BBC One with a real emphasis on compelling, contemporary subject matter from writers with a strong diversity of voice. From Marnie Dickens’ explosive new family drama Gold Digger to Levi David Addai’s timely and provocative morality tale Dark Mon£y, to Ben Chanan’s electric conspiracy thriller The Capture and Andrea Gibbs’ part-detective story Elizabeth is Missing, each of these four dramas demonstrates a commitment to telling stories about life in Britain now. We are honored to be working with such fresh and original voices to bring them to life.”