London's Burning

Category: News Release

TX: Thursday 22nd December, 9pm, Channel 4.

Set in Clapham Junction, London, London's Burning is a dramatic interpretation of a single night of rioting and looting that took place in August, 2011. Starring David Morrissey (The Other Boleyn Girl, Red Riding, Nowhere Boy) and Samantha Bond (Goldeneye, Downton Abbey, Outnumbered) as senior police officers, London's Burning tells how residents, shopkeepers and businesses dealt with the violence that erupted.

Over several nights in August 2011, riots broke out all over London. The Metropolitan Police said  "We have never seen such levels of multi-site disorder in the Capital before." On  Monday 8 August, it was unclear where the rioters would strike next.  When over 400 youths besieged Clapham on that night, nothing prepared local shopkeepers, residents and the police for the attack.  This drama is the story of what happened, based on the testimony of some of those who were there.  

Using painstakingly-gathered witness testimonies and interviews, the hour-long drama weaves together half-a-dozen narratives. The drama is based on accounts from those who live or work in Clapham: the hairdresser, the party-shop owner, the family man, the music shop keeper. Each of their accounts are fascinating, revelatory and compelling. They are vivid testimonies to the enduring values of humanity: courage, compassion, determination, kindness and tolerance.

London's Burning is directed by Justin Hardy (The Man Who Crossed Hitler, Bloody Foreigners, City of Vice, The Relief of Belsen) and the drama is written by Mark Hayhurst (The Man Who Crossed Hitler, Revelations, The Year London Blew Up: 1974, The Last Days of the Raj ).

Executive Producer Samir Shah
Director: Justin Hardy
Writer: Mark Hayhurst
Prod co: Juniper Films