Lenny Henry drama greenlit for ITV
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ITV has commissioned Three Little Birds, a drama written by Lenny Henry inspired by his mother’s stories about leaving Jamaica in the 1950’s for Great Britain, which became her lifelong home.
Henry has written each of the six fictional episodes that will be produced by his production company, Douglas Road Productions, in association with Tiger Aspect Productions. Both companies are part of the Banijay UK group.
Henry said: “My mother spoke often about how difficult life was back in the day when she first arrived in Britain to begin her new life. The stories she told and indeed the narratives my brothers and sisters beguiled me with over the dinner table made me think about writing a fictional account of three Caribbean women; all with differing yet complementary attributes - a serious tenacious one, a quick witted flibbertigibbet and a Christian prude.
“They all get to the UK with one thing on their minds - a new life. Although these are fictional accounts, my mother’s narrative will run throughout these stories and hopefully, the stories of other post Windrush arrivals will trigger memories, smiles and tears too. It is my privilege to work with Russell T. Davies and Tiger Aspect on these stories.
“For me, a life-long dream has come true. This series will be a tribute to the giants who came before us and walked cold streets to create new lives for themselves.”
The drama narrates the adventures of gregarious sisters Leah and Chantrelle, who hail from St Anne’s district in Jamaica, and their virtuous, bible-loving acquaintance, Hosanna as they board a cruise ship heading for a new life in Great Britain.
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