ITV Commissions New Drama from Russell T Davies

ITV has ordered the new three-part drama Nolly from BAFTA-winning writer Russell T Davies (It’s a Sin, Years and Years, Queer as Folk).

Nolly brings actress Noele “Nolly” Gordon back to life and portrays the time when she was suddenly sacked from the long-running soap opera Crossroads during the height of its success after spending 18 years on the show. Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown, Enola Holmes, The King’s Speech, Burton and Taylor) will portray Gordon.

The series will be produced by Quay Street Productions, the first drama under Nicola Shindler’s new production banner, with ITV Studios. Peter Hoar (It’s a Sin, The Last of Us, The Umbrella Academy) will direct.

Polly Hill, head of drama at ITV, said: “Russell’s scripts are magnificent and a great tribute to Noele Gordon, but also to our national love of soaps and a celebration of the incredible women they create. Helena Bonham Carter is going to be amazing as Nolly, and we can’t wait for her to step into those shoes.”

Bonham Carter commented: “Noele Gordon was a fascinating, complex, brilliant and gutsy woman—none of which I knew before I read Russell T Davies’s script. I’m so thrilled to help tell Nolly’s long-overdue and largely forgotten story. Russell’s screenplay is a work of brilliance, and I hope I’ll do him and Nolly justice. I can’t wait to start.”

Davies said: “One of my very first jobs in TV was a trial script for Crossroads, and I’ve wanted to write the story of behind the scenes on that show for 40 years. At last, the truth can be told!”

Schindler added: “I couldn’t be prouder or more excited that the first drama we will be filming for Quay Street Productions is this beautiful script by Russell T Davies. And that Helena Bonham Carter will star as such an iconic British woman is dream casting.”