BBC orders 1970s Birmingham music scene drama from ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator
The next project from the writer of Peaky Blinders has been confirmed!
As rumoured in February last year, British screenwriter Steven Knight is making a brand new drama series set against the backdrop of the UK’s Two Tone music scene.
BBC One’s original series is currently called Two Tone, although we’re told this title could change.
Set in Coventry and Birmingham in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the six-part drama will tell the story of “an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and two tone music [which] united black, white and Asian youths in an expression of unity.”
We’re promised a “rocking soundtrack” from the series!
The Two Tone movement included UK groups like The Specials, The Selecter, and The Beat.
Steven Knight commented: “This is a project that’s literally very close to home and I’m developing characters and themes that are set in the early 80s but hopefully are very contemporary. Of course, the soundtrack will be sensational.”
Executive producer Karen Wilson added: “Steven’s passion for this project is palpable so I couldn’t be more excited to be making it for BBC One. Set in the West Midlands, against a moment of real cultural and historical progression, it will be compelling, diverse and will have a rocking soundtrack to boot.”
Ben Irving, Acting Director of BBC Drama added: “Steven has taken his knowledge of this time and place and used it to weave a brilliantly original and characterful drama, set against the musical backdrop of ska and two tone. We are thrilled to be able to bring this unique piece to viewers on the BBC.”
Two Tone is set to begin filming in Birmingham, England later this year.
It’s expected to premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2023.
Steven Knight is back on BBC One this summer with his upcoming World War II drama SAS: Rogue Heroes!
The action-packed new TV show tells how the world’s most renowned and ruthless Special Forces unit, the SAS, came to exist.
The sixth season of Peaky Blinders recently concluded in the UK and, while it was the show’s final run on TV, we do know that there’s going to be a Peaky movie.
Season 6 will debut internationally on Netflix very soon.
Peaky Blinders is available on DVD on Amazon.