HBO and the BBC are set to co-produce the six-episode drama series “1536,” from showrunner, writer, and executive producer Ava Pickett (“How To Get To Heaven from Belfast,” “The Great”) based on her play of the same title. Molly Manners (“One Day,” “In My Skin”) will direct and serve as executive producer. Additional executive producers for the HBO-BBC series include Jude Liknaitzky, Roanna Benn, Rebecca de Souza, and Chloe Beeson for Drama Republic, and Anna Ferguson for the BBC.
A darkly comic and terrifyingly relevant story about friendship, sisterhood, and a changing world, “1536” explores how the actions of a man in power changes the fate of working-class women on the edges of the country. It asks if a King can murder his Queen, what does that mean for women elsewhere and how much have things really changed?
Francesca Orsi, executive VP, HBO Programming, head of HBO Drama Series and Films, said, “We’re elated to partner with Ava Pickett and the BBC to bring her first television series to life. Ava is an immense talent, and we couldn’t be more excited and honored to work with her on transforming her singular vision of ‘1536’ from stage to screen.”
Pickett shared, “I’m so excited and thrilled to be working with HBO, the BBC and Drama Republic on ‘1536’ and feel very lucky to have them champion this story so fiercely. And to be collaborating with the brilliantly talented Molly Manners is a dream come true. I can’t wait to bring this story about power, patriarchy and friendship to a new audience.”
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said, “We are thrilled to be working once again with the HBO team and look forward to bringing Ava’s brilliantly bold scripts to life together with the team at Drama Republic. We can’t wait for viewers to see these funny, courageous, and iconic female characters on screen.”
