Stephen Tompkinson switches from ITV to BBC with Truckers

Following the demise of popular ITV drama Wild At Heart Stephen Tompkinson is switching to BBC One drama Truckers, a brand new five-part drama written by William Ivory.

Truckers tells stories of real life, ordinary people pushed to extremes and Stephen Tompkinson is today announced as a lead role, Malachi Davies.

Speaking about the role, Stephen Tompkinson said: “Occasionally in my career, I’ve been able to say an immediate yes to a project without seeing a script, simply because of the writer’s name. Truckers is certainly up there with William Ivory’s other celebrated works and it is indeed an honour to be a part of it and a genuine thrill to be bringing it to BBC One.”

The series introduces a rogue’s gallery of irascible characters, men and women, all of whom work for the same haulage company driving 40-ton articulated lorries across the Midlands and in each episode a trucker undergoes a life changing journey and we are along for the ride.

In an age when technology makes us seem ever more connected, the series explores how isolated we can become within modern society and the importance of real human connection. Truckers is packed with powerful, moving stories that are joyous and full of redemption.

Polly Hill, Head of Independent Drama, BBC adds: “We are thrilled to see Stephen Tompkinson back on the BBC. Billy’s wonderful scripts are both emotional and funny, as they examine the truthfulness of modern life and relationships. Stephen will be a brilliant Malachi, and seeing him star in this original drama, will be a real treat for our BBC One audience.”

The five-part series is to be made by Company Pictures for BBC One, with filming starting in Nottingham next month.

In 1991 Central Television and Channel 4 produced two successful series evolving around a haulage firm in Family Pride. The 51 episodes made were also set in the Midlands and starring among others Crossroads’ Paul Henry, Coronation Street’s Rula Lenska, Holby City’s Kim Vithana and Crossroads’ Gabrielle Drake.