The 1970s set drama will film in Hertfordshire in late summer

Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter, Erin Doherty and Tom Burke lead the starry cast of Hugo Blick’s latest drama, California Avenue, set to film in Hertfordshire in late summer.

The 6 x 60 is from Drama Republic, and is set in a secluded, canal-side caravan park in the 1970s, where the peace is disturbed by the arrival of Lela (Doherty) and her 11-year-old child, who are on the run and looking for sanctuary.

Nighy and Bonham Carter star as Jerry and Eddie, Lela’s parents, while Tom Burke co-stars as showman outcast, Cooper. The series is the latest collaboration between Blick – who also directs – Drama Republic, Eight Rooks (Blick’s prodco) and the BBC following The English, The Honourable Woman and Black Earth Rising.

Originally titled Clifftops, California Avenue is produced by Colin Wratten and exec produced by Hugo Blick for Eight Rooks, Greg Brenman for Drama Republic, Helena Bonham Carter and Lucy Richer for the BBC. Mediawan Rights and Entourage Media will distribute the series internationally.

Blick commented: “Over the past few decades, whether through comedy, political dramas or even a western, I’ve looked to explore what television fiction can be. California Avenue is an exploration of the people who inspired me to want to do this.”

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added: “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 on the journey of a lifetime to 1970s California Avenue.”

The producer is Colin Wratten (The English, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth), and the executive producers are Hugo Blick for Eight Rooks, Greg Brenman for Drama Republic, Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter, and Lucy Richer for the BBC. The series is produced by Drama Republic. Mediawan Rights and Entourage Media will distribute the series internationally.

Bill Nighy (Image: credit Aliona Adrianova), Helena Bonham Carter (Image: credit Matt Crockett), Erin Doherty (Image: credit Joseph Sinclair), Tom Burke (Image: credit Rhys Frampton)