BBC crews film in Birmingham for new drama series as writer says ‘I’m over the moon’

A new drama shot in Birmingham is coming to the BBC, exploring the life of the city’s black working class. We Go Again, a working title, is written by British playwright Janice Okoh.

The Midlands series is currently being filmed in and around Birmingham and Coventry for broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three. The show is a comedy drama about three brothers with a dark secret.

When their mother disappears, the stubbornly optimistic teenagers will do whatever it takes to stay together as a family and move on with their lives. The show, due to air in 2025, has been billed as “humane and tender with a strong heart”.

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Who is in the cast?

The BBC has announced that newcomers Chenée Taylor, Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie and Akins Subair will lead the cast. Also featured is Jamelia, who plays “Fake Jackie”, a version of the brother’s missing mother.

Also in the cast are Romola Garai (Atonement), Jennifer Metcalfe (Hollyoaks) and SI’m Buchanan (Power) that plays a overzealous teacher. We Go Again will be directed by Nathaniel Martello-White (The Strays) and is a “celebration of black joy, council estates and corner shops”.

The play based on Janice’s 2011 play Three Birds, which starred Michaela Coel and won the prestigious Bruntwood Playwriting Prize.

What is the show about?

We Go Again is an “irreverent portrait of black working-class teenage life.” The comedy-drama follows three brothers who must stay together as a family when their mother disappears. They will do anything to keep their dark secret, but can they really outsmart the authorities? .

Writer and creator Janice Okoh said: “I am delighted to be adapting my play with the BBC and The Forge. It’s been a joy to see the project grow and change, but I still keep the story of these three wonderful home-alone kids and how they cope with the adults around them at its heart.

“As soon as I saw Chenée I knew she was my Tiana, a beautiful young adult with an inner strength that shines. Kaydrah and Akins are also phenomenal – so natural and funny. I feel lucky to have found them. They are so excited to be joined by the rest of the cast – Romola, Sam, Ivanno, Jamelia and Jennifer – and I can’t wait for the world to meet the characters they portray.”

When will we release We Go Again?

Filming for the show is currently taking place in and around Birmingham and Coventry. The series is due to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three in 2025.