Written by best-selling author and self-coined ‘romcomoisseur’ Bolu Babalola (Love in Colour), Big Age will follow four young Black-British friends attempting to grow up and step out while faced with parental expectation, personal dreams and the demoralising reality of insufficient funds.

Inspired by the Nigerian quip “At your big age!”, which is equal parts loving and mocking, commanding and encouraging, the series will explore the intense friendship of four funny, contemporary and surprising comic characters.

The pilot will see Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Alex Rider) star as the 25-year-old Ṣadé, the unashamedly ambitious but occasionally insecure protagonist who dreams of becoming a writer. Racheal Ofori (Sliced) stars as Ṣadé’s best friend Dela, a free-spirited and sexually liberated artist who fights for social justice but hides her privileged middle-class upbringing.

Michael Workeye (Brothers) will play the smooth-talking player Zeke, Ṣadé’s unrequited love who oozes easy charm and charisma. The foursome is completed by Tayo, played by CJ Beckford (I Am Danielle), the funny grounding force of the group who seemingly has his life on track.

Bolu Babalola commented: “It is quite literally a dream come true to have the opportunity to bring Big Age to life with Channel 4. It's been a great joy to develop these characters and this world over the years, and I am so thrilled that a place that has housed so many of my favourite shows has chosen to help me share it.

“Ṣadé is a young woman with big dreams and a big heart, and Big Age is a celebration of friendship, ambition with heart, and the connections that propel us forward in newly formulating adulthood.”