Red Planet Pictures, the makers of hits such as Life on Mars, Hustle and Death in Paradise have been commissioned by BBC One to produce a major new drama series, The Great War.

The epic series is told through the eyes of two ordinary young men who, like so many who enlisted, believed the war would be short lived. Each of the five chronological episodes will cover one year of the war, mainly centred on the Western Front but also taking in major events such as Gallipoli, the Battle of the Somme, Ypres and the point when America joined the conflict.

Tony Jordan has written the drama and will also executive produce alongside Bethan Jones of BBC Cymru Wales Drama. The series forms part of the BBC”s planned programming for next year to commemorate the centenary of the start of the war. Filming is still some time away – anticipated for early next year.

Jordan says: “The First World War is undoubtedly one of the most catastrophic events of modern history with a devastating impact on human life across the world. The story look at all aspects of the war – from the families left behind to the strategic decisions by generals that led to unimaginable bloodshed and the men fighting in the trenches.”

Further information on The Great War can be found on Production Intelligence, the online database of advance productions from The Knowledge.