James Graham Preps Crime Drama for BBC One

Playwright and dramatist James Graham is again collaborating with House Productions, this time for the crime drama Sherwood for BBC One.

Inspired in part by real events, the six-part drama sees two shocking and unexpected murders shatter an already fractured community, leading to one of the largest manhunts in British history. The series is set in the Nottinghamshire mining village where Graham grew up.

Graham has written all six parts and will be an executive producer on the series. His previous collaboration with House Productions was the Emmy- and BAFTA-nominated Brexit: The Uncivil War.

Graham said: “It means the world to have this opportunity to bring the voices of a community I grew up in to BBC One. So much is spoken about the divisions and difficulties in these ‘Red Wall’ towns, but they’re not always understood. I feel so honored to be able to tell a fictionalized story about a very real trauma, but with the humor and heart and resilience of the people I know and love there.”

Juliette Howell and Tessa Ross, executive producers for House Productions, said: “James has written an extraordinarily powerful drama, which has immense heart, wit and humanity—and, as ever with his writing, it’s a pertinent piece for our times.”

Piers Wenger, director of BBC Drama, said: “In blending real and fictional events, James has created a penetrating, heartfelt and purposeful thriller that exposes the tensions and fault lines at the heart of modern Britain. Sherwood is set to be an exceptional series by one of our greatest dramatists and we are proud to be bringing it to BBC One.”