BBC to chart century of change in drama The Village
The BBC has unveiled an epic drama series for BBC One called The Village.
Starring Maxine Peake and John Simm, it will chart the life and turbulent times of one English village across the whole of the 20th century.
According to the corporation, “The camera never leaves the village. Births, deaths, love and betrayal, great political events, upheavals in national identity, ways of working, rules kept and rebellions made, sex, religion, class, the shaping of modern memory – they’re all refracted through the lives of the villagers and the village.”
One man, Bert Middleton, lives across the entire hundred years and his life story from boyhood to extreme old age provides the narrative backbone. The series begins in 1914 with the arrival of the first bus ever to stop in the village. Everyone gathers to see it and off the bus steps the beautiful, headstrong Martha Lane (Charlie Murphy - Misfits, Love Hate). Bert Middleton’s world will never be the same again.
The Village was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning and Danny Cohen, Controller of BBC1. It is written by Bafta-winning writer Peter Moffat, made by Company Pictures and directed by Antonia Bird. Commenting, actor John Simm says: “I’m delighted to be working with such a great director and brilliant writer in Peter - I've long been a fan of both, alongside such a great cast”.
The six part series of The Village is currently filming on location in the Peak District, and will broadcast on BBC One during 2013.
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