Series aims to follow original in tackling ‘thornier issues’, and to support talent from lower-income backgrounds
It was one of the most influential British television series of the last century, renowned for exploring thorny societal issues and bringing the work of emerging talent, such as Ray Winstone, Alison Steadman, Helen Mirren and Dennis Potter, to mass audiences.
Now Play for Today is being revived on Channel 5, to give young writers, actors and producers from lower-income backgrounds a way into TV, helped by established talent.
Continuing the series’ history of politically charged social realism, the first four productions cover a failing Adolescence-style school in special measures, celebrity and historical abuse, ageing and money, and feature appearances from stars including Anita Dobson, Nigel Havers, Sue Johnston and Alan Davies.
The Channel 5 commissioning editor Paul Testar said Play for Today was “synonymous with high-quality standalone television dramas”. Its revival would help “shape the future of British drama”, he added, providing an “opportunity to support emerging talent behind the scenes – from writers and directors to production teams – especially those from lower-income backgrounds who haven’t always had clear pathways into the industry”.
