The BBC has unveiled first-look images of its new drama California Avenue, set during the 1970s. According to multiple reports, the programme follows a mother and child on the run. The cast includes Erin Doherty, Helena Bonham Carter, Bill Nighy, Tom Burke, Kate Robbins, Paul Kaye, and Cammie Liebreich. Bill Nighy and Helena Bonham Carter portray Jerry and Eddie, parents of Lela, who are ballroom champions of the 1930s turned wartime runaways still in hiding three decades later. Tom Burke plays fairground outcast Cooper, while Kate Robbins portrays Priscilla, who runs the caravan site with her husband Kevin, played by Paul Kaye.
The series is created, written, and directed by Hugo Blick. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, praised Blick, saying: "Hugo Blick has given us some of the finest television of the past three decades and it’s an honour to join forces with him." Viewers expressed excitement on social media, with one saying: "Absolutely can't wait for this," and another asking: "When is it being added?"
Its peace is irrevocably disrupted by the arrival of Lela and her 11-year-old child, Bee, both on the run, looking for refuge in this hidden world.
The story unfolds in an isolated canal-side caravan park in the English countryside. The BBC synopsis describes how "its peace is irrevocably disrupted by the arrival of Lela and her 11-year-old child, Bee, both on the run, looking for refuge in this hidden world." The broadcast date, episode count, and filming locations have not yet been announced.
It is here that a fractured family will come together, ghosts of the past will firmly be put to rest and an unexpected love is forged.
Cast on this is incredible.
The cast looks fantastic (though I was 'in' at Bill Nighy).
Absolutely can't wait for this.
When is it being added? Really looking forward to seeing this one.
Hugo Blick has given us some of the finest television of the past three decades and it’s an honour to join forces with him alongside Bill, Helena, Erin, Tom and Drama Republic to take BBC viewers