BritBox has released a few first-look photos from Three Little Birds, the new drama written and executive produced by Sir Lenny Henry. Check out the pics and video.
Three Little Birds, a co-production between BritBox International and ITV, is inspired by the life-affirming stories of Sir Henry’s mother and all those who have traveled to make Britain their home. Spirited, moving, funny, and heartfelt, the series was created as a celebration of immigration, community, and the strength of Black womanhood.
Leading the cast of Three Little Birds are rising stars Rochelle Neil (The Nevers, Guilt), Yazmin Belo (What Just Happened, Mother’s Cry), and Saffron Coomber (Small Axe, C.B. Strike).
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, the six-episode series will introduce the West Midlands market town of Dudley and the rest of the world to gregarious sisters Leah (Neil) and Chantrelle (Coomber), and their virtuous, bible-loving acquaintance, Hosanna (Belo), as they board a cruise ship from Jamaica, bound for a new life in Blighty (aka Great Britain).
Lured to the UK in search of new beginnings, and asked by their older brother, Aston (Javone Prince, Dodger), if they’ll bring him a potential wife from back home, Leah and Chantrelle convince Hosanna to give up her job as a trainee nurse and embark upon the journey to “the mother country” with them. 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 the least of which is the dramatic change in weather. While we learn shocking truths about the lives they left behind, the trio’s voyage of discovery is not smooth sailing, but they are determined to succeed and overcome the many obstacles of integration and build a new life in Britain.
Costars in the series include Bobby Gordon (Hollyoaks) as the sisters’ new factory-worker colleague, Shelton, and Arthur Darvill (Broadchurch, Doctor Who) and Beth Hayes (Mr. Selfridge, Bridgerton) as Mr. and Mrs. Wantage, Chantrelle’s employers, who expect far more from her than just cooking shepherd’s pie and minding their three children as their new live-in nanny.
A project of Tiger Aspect Productions in association with Sir Lenny Henry’s production company, Douglas Road Productions, the series is created and written by Sir Lenny Henry (Chef!, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Witcher: Blood Origin) along with guest episode writers Carol Russell (Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle) and Avril Russell (Silent Witness). Charles McDougall (The Office), Yero Timi-Biu (The Read), Yero Timi Biu (Blood, Sex & Royalty), and Darcia Martin (Father Brown) direct two episodes each. The series was filmed in The Midlands.
Sir Lenny Henry, Lucy Bedford, Kate Crowe, Russell T. Davies, Charles MacDougall, and Angela Ferreira serve as Executive Producers, with Stella Nwimo producing. The series is co-produced by BritBox International, with Diederick Santer as Executive Producer. It was commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama Polly Hill, who is overseeing production from the channel’s perspective.
(In the video below, Sir Lenny Henry introduces Rochelle Neil, Saffron Coomber, and Yazmin Belo on the red carpet of the 2023 BAFTA TV Awards.)
Three Little Birds is slated to debut on BritBox in the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the Nordics next year. Stay tuned for updates.
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