Lenny Henry is adapting Kit de Waal’s 1980s drama ‘My Name is Leon’ for BBC

The BBC has ordered an adaptation of My Name is Leon.

Set in 1980s Britain, the one-off TV movie is based on Kit de Waal’s novel.

My Name is Leon tells the uplifting and incredibly moving story of nine year old Leon, a mixed-race boy whose desire is to keep his family together, as his single-parent mother suffers a devastating breakdown.

Sir Lenny Henry (The Long Song) is among the executive producers and  the script has been written by Shola Amoo.

Lenny Henry commented: “I was halfway through recording the audiobook for My Name is Leon when I realised I was in love. Kit de Waal’s peerless narrative had me entranced from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the final sentence. Shola’s adaptation does the story great justice.”

Shola Amoo added: “I’m very excited to be a part of this ground-breaking project for the BBC. It was a real honour and privilege to adapt Kit De Waal’s touching and thought-provoking book for the screen and I can’t wait to share it with the world.”

My Name is Leon will air on BBC One in the UK later this year.

The official synopsis reads: “Separated from his blonde and blue-eyed baby brother, Leon remains full of energy and hopefulness, in spite of the hardships he encounters. Told through Leon’s eyes, we follow his journey and witness the start of a touching relationship between him and his foster career Maureen.

“With his favourite action figure Sergeant Smith by his side, Leon’s quest to be reunited with his sibling takes him on an adventure of self-discovery and discovery of family, in its various guises.”

Kit de Waal’s novel is available on Amazon.