Black Earth Rising

BBC One commissions new drama from the writer of Doctor Foster

Dr. Gemma Foster (Suranne Jones) and Simon (Bertie Carvel) in Doctor Foster (Credit: BBC)

Life follows four separate stories from each of the flats highlighting what happens when people connect with others and the human capacity to change, love and care.

The saga will be produced by award winning production company Drama Republic whose credits include Black Earth Rising, Wanderlust and Doctor Foster.

“It’s hugely exciting to be working with Drama Republic and the BBC again,” said Bartlett.

“To tell a brand new, epic story about seemingly 'ordinary' people who turn out to be anything but.”

Watch the trailer for BBC Two's new thriller Black Earth Rising

RTS award-winner Michaela Coel (Chewing Gum) stars as Kate Ashby, a legal investigator who was rescued as a child during the Rwandan genocide and adopted by British international criminal law prosecutor Eve (Harriet Walter - The Crown).

The eight-part series will follow Kate as she is thrown into the middle of a case prosecuting an African militia leader that Eve takes on at the International Criminal Court.