The Secret Life of the Holiday Resort

Lion TV has been commissioned by Channel 4 to make a three-part series about the great British summer holiday. With exclusive access to the largest all-inclusive resort on the Costa del Sol, ‘The Secret Life of the Holiday Resort’(working title) will take a warm-hearted look at what British people get up to on holiday in the sun and what it takes to keep us happy.

In an extraordinary summer when we voted to leave the EU, and when a record 10 million Brits flocked to Spain, this observational series was filmed during the busiest weeks of the season.  

The series will also follow the army of staff and what it takes for them to keep 3000 guests happy, serving up up to 4 tonnes of bacon, 5 tonnes of chips and 6000 litres of beer a week. Observing holiday makers abroad , it will also allow us to examine questions about national identity and our reputation – from being first on the sun-loungers, to soaking up the sun or our attempts at speaking the lingo.

The series was commissioned for Channel 4 by factual entertainment commissioning editor Lucy Leveugle, and was developed by Emma Lorenz, Katharine Patrick and Samia Murphy. Executive Producers are Richard Bradley and Lion’s Creative Director, Factual, Lisa Edwards and will be series produced by Katharine Patrick.  

Lisa Edwards says ‘It’s been a fascinating summer to make a series like this – with the Brexit vote and fears about terrorism.   The chance to observe British holiday makers in one of the biggest resorts on the Costa del Sol was an unmissable opportunity.’

Lucy Leveugle said ‘This series offers a light-hearted anthropological look at something we can all relate to – the holiday in the sun. It will warm up the coldest of winter viewing evenings.’