Award-winning writer Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, A Very English Scandal) is writing a new drama, Years and Years, for the BBC. The series will follow the ups and downs in the lives of a single family, over a 15 year period.
Years and Years follows the Lyons, a busy Mancunian family. There’s Daniel who is getting married to Ralph, Stephen and Celeste worrying over their children, man-eater Rosie and estranged Edith. At the head of the chaotic family is Gran, the regal Muriel. When their lives all converge on one crucial night in 2019 the story is propelled into the future following the lives and loves of the Lyons over 15 years in a Britain rocked by volatile political, economic and technological advances.
Davies places the Lyons in a future where Britain withdraws from Europe, China asserts itself as a dominant power, the USA becomes a lone wolf and a new world starts to form. In the midst of all of this MP Vivienne Rook sees her opportunity seize the moment and makes a bid for power. She’s a new type of politician, both entertainer and rebel, leading the world into an unknown future. Davies poses the question of whether, against insurmountable odds, a small, ordinary family like the Lyons could change the world.
“I’ve wanted to write this for 20 years or so. And as the world accelerates like crazy around us, I realised I’d better get on with it!” said Russell T Davies.
Commissioned for BBC One, Years and Years will be produced by Red Production Company and executive produced by Nicola Shindler (Happy Valley) who commented, “What Russell does so expertly is navigate a potentially dark and fearful story into a compelling drama that is full of wit, warmth and hope, with family at the heart of the show.”
The series is expected to go into production later this year.
