‘This Town’ first look: Michelle Dockery is far from ‘Downton’ in new ’80s drama

The first images from This Town have been unveiled!

BBC One’s upcoming drama is set in Birmingham and Coventry in the early 1980s and comes from the creator of Peaky Blinders and SAS Rogue Heroes.

Set in “a world of family ties, teenage kicks and the exhilarating music of a generation,” the series will tell the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and two-tone music.

We’ll follow a band’s formation against a backdrop of violence, capturing how creative genius can emerge from a time of madness.

A cast of familiar faces and newcomers is led by Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery, alongside Nicholas Pinnock (Marcella), and David Dawson (My Policeman).

Here’s a look at The Last Kingdom actor Dawson as Robbie Carmen:

Described as “a high octane thriller and a family saga,” This Town opens in 1981 at a moment of huge social tensions and unrest.

The official synopsis tells us: “Against this backdrop, it tells the story of a group of young people fighting to choose their own paths in life, and each in need of the second chance that music offers.”

Playing the show’s young leads are Levi Brown (Loss and Return) as Dante Williams, Jordan Bolger (The Woman King) as Gregory Williams, and Ben Rose (Line of Duty) as Bardon Quinn.

Take a look at the trio in full swagger here:

The epic six-part series began filming on location in the Birmingham area last year.

“This is a project very close to my heart,” commented writer and creator Steven Knight.  “It’s about an era I lived through and know well and it involves characters who I feel I grew up with.”

“It’s a love letter to Birmingham and Coventry but I hope people from all over the world will relate to it,” he added.

Other names in the cast include Eve Austin (You), Peter McDonald (Dublin Murders), Freya Parks (The School of Good and Evil), Shyvonne Ahmmad (Annika), John Heffernan (The Pursuit of Love), Stefan Asante-Boateng (Coronation Street), Séainín Brennan (The Fall), George Somner (This Is Going To Hurt), and Brendan Gibson (Mr Selfridge).

They’re joined by Geraldine James (Back to Life, Anne with an E).

Downton Abbey fans will recognise her as Queen Mary from 2019’s spin-off movie, and here she plays a character called Marie:

Rather excitingly, This Town is also being co-produced with Mercury Studios, who’ll be bringing in some high profile musical artists for the soundtrack.

Brit-nominated musician, novelist and poet Kae Tempest has also written the brand new songs which will be performed by the band in the series!

Here’s a closer look at Michelle Dockery’s character, Estella in the drama:

This Town will premiere in the UK on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer in 2024.

A second season of writer Steven Knight’s World War II drama SAS Rogue Heroes is also currently filming in the UK and Croatia ahead of transmission next year.

Peaky Blinders is available on DVD on Amazon.