ITV confirms start date for ’50s drama ‘Three Little Birds’ – watch a clip!

It’s been confirmed when Three Little Birds begins!

ITV’s new life-affirming period drama has been written by Sir Lenny Henry (The Long Song, Chef) and comes from the makers of The Good Karma Hospital.

The upcoming six-part mini-series also been executive produced by Nolly and A Very English Scandal writer Russell T Davies.

Three Little Birds is inspired by Lenny Henry’s mother’s journey to Britain in the late 1950s, exploring “untold stories of sisterhood, love, friendship, and the joys, laughter and struggles of making a new life in the so-called mother-country.”

Watch a clip here:

The official synopsis reads: “Set in 1957, post-Windrush, and amidst the booming decade set alight by promise, the rhythm of rock and roll, swing, Hollywood starlets, and fabulous fashion, Three Little Birds will introduce Dudley and the rest of the world to gregarious sisters Leah, and Chantrelle and their virtuous, bible-loving acquaintance, Hosanna, as they board a cruise ship from Jamaica bound for a new life in Blighty.

“Lured to the UK in search of new beginnings by their older brother Aston, who asks Leah and Chantrelle if they’ll bring him a potential wife from back home, they convince Hosanna to give up her job as a trainee nurse and embark upon the journey to the mother country.

“An effervescent mix of strong personalities, they all have very different reasons for leaving their family and friends behind in Clarendon, Jamaica, though they soon discover it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, not least the dramatic change in weather.

“While we learn shocking truths about the lives they left behind the voyage of discovery is not smooth sailing for our trio, but they are determined to succeed and overcome the many obstacles of integration and build a new life in Britain.”

The cast’s main trio are played by Rochelle Neil (Guilt) as Leah, Yazmin Belo (What Just Happened) as bible-loving Hosanna, and Saffron Coomber (EastEnders) as the glamorous Chantrelle.

They’re joined by Javone Prince (Dodger), Bobby Gordon (Hollyoaks), Arthur Darvill (World on Fire), and Beth Hayes (Mr Selfridge).

When’s the release date?

Three Little Birds premieres in the UK at 8pm on Sunday 22 October on ITV1, airing weekly through until the end of November.

All six episodes will also be streaming on ITVX.

The series is set to debut on BritBox in the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Nordics in 2024.

Sir Lenny Henry’s memoir Who Am I, Again? is available on Amazon.