E4 announces new drama series Youngers (w/t)

23 August 2012

E4, the channel that launched Skins, The Inbetweeners and Misfits, today announced a new 8 x 30' drama series from Big Talk Productions set in the UK urban music scene. Youngers is written by Levi David Addai (My Murder, Micah - part of C4's Coming Up new talent season), Georgia Lester (Skins) and Mark Catley (Eggbox, Casualty). 

E4 and Big Talk Productions conducted open auditions in London to find new faces, with over 350 applicants, aged 16 - 19, turning up - from actors, to 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.

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...

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."

Executive Producer, Luke Alkin added: "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." 

Youngers (working title) has been commissioned for E4 by Commissioning Editor for Drama, Sophie Gardiner.  Executive Producers are Big Talk Chief Executive Kenton Allen and Luke Alkin. Producer is Radford Neville.

Youngers will be broadcast on E4 in 2013 - E4 continues to be the biggest digital channel for 16-34s, with a 16-34 share of 4.76% across 2012 to date.   Youngers will be distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide.