Manning Walker’s feature debut, How to Have Sex, was BAFTA-nominated and won the Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes

Molly Manning Walker’s new drama about a women’s football team, Major Players, begins production in the UK this week (w/c 15 September).

As well as taking the director’s chair, Manning Walker is also co-writer of the 6 x 30’ series, alongside Yasmin Joseph. For delivery to Channel 4, the drama is produced by Baby Reindeer’s Matthew Mulot and A24.

Major Players follows two London girls on the brink of adulthood and their mission to start a women’s football team. It was commissioned by Ollie Madden, the outgoing director of Film4 and Channel 4 drama who is due to join Netflix next month, Gwawr Lloyd, commissioning editor, Channel 4 drama and Farhana Bhula, newly-confirmed director of Film4.

Manning Walker, who also executive produces the show, said at the time of the greenlight news: “I can’t wait to bring Major Players to life with this amazing team. It is a coming of age story, filled with first love, grief and bicycle kicks set in your local cage. I’m excited to shine a light on women’s football which I’m a huge fan and supporter of.”

Production Intelligence subscribers have had access to physical-production details on Major Players since June, including shoot dates and the names of key HoD hires. Click here to request a free walkaround of the site.