E4 is getting Younger

E4, the channel behind telly hits such as Skins, The Inbetweeners and Misfits adds to its UK commissions with a eight part series entitled Youngers.
The half-hour drama series – from Big Talk Productions – is to be based in the United Kingdom’s urban music scene. E4 and the production company conducted open auditions in London to find new faces with over 350 applicants, aged 16 – 19, turning up – from actors, rappers and aspiring music artists. The successful candidates will star alongside YouTube heroes Mandem On The Wall aka recent BRIT school graduates Jovian Wade, Percelle Ascott and comedy actor Dee Kartier.

Executive Producer, Luke Alkin says “British urban music has gone mainstream but artists like Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah were just like Jay and Yemi a few years ago, making music in their bedrooms and showcasing it on the internet. Levi David Addai captures this world in an incredibly fresh, funny and positive way. His characters are inner city teenagers with dreams and ambitions for the future – and this is what makes Youngers feel so original and exciting.”

It’s GCSE results day and friends Yemi and Jay nervously make their way to find out what the future holds. Aspiring producer Yemi aces his results, but there’s no celebrating for Jay. Determined to swerve a career fixing boilers with his dad, MC Jay picks up a leaflet for Mic Star, a local music competition that could be his break into the urban music industry. But for these Youngers it’s never going to be that easy…

E4 describe the show as ‘witty and original’, this comedy drama set in South East London follows a group of friends trying to negotiate their way through teenage life in a world that’s more about swagger than straight As. Youngers also marks the drama directing debut of acclaimed documentary maker director Anthony Philipson (24 Hours in A&E, Coppers).

Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Drama, Sophie Gardiner said, “Youngers is a very exciting project for E4. Levi David Addai has written something utterly contemporary, witty and warm, which offers an insight into the lives of teenagers who have dreams and talent – a view of a world we don’t often see.”

Youngers will be broadcast on E4 in 2013, the title of the programme however may be subject to change before production.