BBC commissions Public Enemies
The BBC has commissioned a new three-part drama Public Enemies which will explore the relationship between an offender and their probation officer.
A new, three-part drama created by multi-award-winning writer Tony Marchant has been announced today, made by Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC One. Public Enemies explores the relationship between 28-year-old Eddie, recently released on life licence from prison after serving 10 years, and his probation officer, Paula, returning from suspension following a shocking crime committed by an offender under her supervision.
“Public Enemies looks at the criminal justice system from the points of view of the ‘offender’ and the ‘gatekeeper.’ it’s about disgraced individuals trying to reclaim their lives and their reputations. It’s also a forbidden love story. I’m really looking forward to working with Greg Brenman and the team at Tiger Aspect again.”- Tony Marchant.
“We are delighted to be working with Tony again. We previously worked together on Kid In The Corner and Recovery. Both are outstanding dramas and proved to be landmark projects for Tiger Aspect Drama. Public Enemies has all the vital ingredients to be another genre-defining and gripping story for audiences craving the best in contemporary drama.” – Greg Brenman
Commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning, the series will be executive produced for Tiger Aspect by Head of Drama Greg Brenman and Will Gould, with Polly Hill, Head of England Indies at the BBC.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Tony Marchant and Tiger Aspect on Public Enemies, which promises to be a compelling and important new drama for BBC One. The stories of Eddie and Paula are complex, gripping, surprising and incredibly moving, while Tony also writes beautifully and powerfully about the issue of rehabilitation and whether as a society we really believe in it – can a young man who has served his time in prison for murder get his life back, and will the community he returns to let him?” – Polly Hill, BBC’s Head of Drama, England Indies
Rebecca de Souza is the script executive. Casting details are still to be confirmed and the drama will shoot in spring 2011.