Set in a Britain rocked by political, economic and technological changes, the six-part drama follows the Lyons family as their busy live converge one night in 2019.

Over the next fifteen years, the drama tracks the twists and turns of everyday life to find out if this ordinary family can change the world.

Starring in the family saga is two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson (Love Actually) as Vivienne Rook, an outspoken and controversial public figure whose rise to power brings an uncertain future.

Joining Thompson is Rory Kinnear (Spectre) who plays the family’s peacekeeper Stephen Lyons. He is married to ambitious accountant Celeste (Marcella’s T’Nia Miller).

Quantico's Russell Tovey plays Stephen’s brother Daniel, who works as a housing officer, meanwhile their radical sister Edith (W1A’s Jessica Hynes) hides a secret life.

The last of the four siblings is Rosie (Ruth Madeley, Cold Feet) who is heavily pregnant. Presiding over the family is grandmother Muriel, played by Anne Reid (Last Tango In Halifax).

 “This is a dream cast, put together by Andy Pryor, the man who found Jodie Whittaker to be Doctor Who,” said Russell T Davies. “I’m very lucky, and very excited to start filming.”

RTS fellow and former Doctor Who showrunner Davies has created and written the series, and will also serve as an executive producer.

This series a co-production between BBC One, Red Production Company, Canal+ and HBO.

Production on Years and Years starts this week in Manchester.