The creator of “Queenie,” Candice Carty-Williams, has sold the global rights to Netflix for the BBC drama “Champion” outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland. The award-winning Carty-Williams, whose most recent book, “People Person,” was just released, is working on her first TV project for BBC One in the U.K.
The explosive tale of what happens when fame and family collide is told in the musically laced play “Champion.” The programme centres around rap superstar Bosco Champion, who has just returned from incarceration and is poised to rule the music business. But when Bosco’s competitor, Bulla, notices his obedient younger sister Vita’s own ability, she emerges from her brother’s shadow to become a performer in her own right, pitting the Champion siblings against one another and tearing the family apart in the process.
“Champion,” billed as a south London-based love letter to Black British music, includes original music composed and produced by eminent U.K. musicians. Ghetts, a pioneer of grime, and Ray BLK, a nominee for the BRIT and Mercury Prize, work together as music executives. Déja J. Bowens makes her television debut in the cast, along with Malcolm Kamulete (“Top Boy”), Ray BLK (music phenomenon), Nadine Marshall (“Sherwood”), Ray Fearon (“His Dark Materials”), and Jo Martin (“Doctor Who”).
Adeyinka Akinrinade (“Everything I Know About Love”), Tom Forbes (“Wolf Hall”), Genesis Lynea (“Shadow and Bone”), Karl Collins (“Attack The Block”), Francis Lovehall (“Small Axe”), Corey Weekes (“Coronation Street”), and Rachel Adedeji (“Dreaming Whilst Black”) also appear in the 8 x 45′ musical drama.
Balloon Entertainment, a company owned by All3Media, and New Pictures collaborated to produce “Champion” for BBC One and Netflix. With Nawfal Faizullah serving as the commissioning executive, the show is executive produced by Bryan Elsley, Dave Evans, and Danielle Scott-Haughton for Balloon Entertainment; Charlie Pattinson, Willow Grylls, and Imogen O’Sullivan for New Pictures; Carty-Williams; and Jo McClellan for the BBC.
The TV show was created in collaboration with Netflix and the BBC. Piers Wenger, the outgoing drama chief for the BBC, ordered it, with Alice Pearse and Tom Lyons serving as the show’s leads for Netflix. John Ogunmuyiwa is the first block director and Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor is the producer. The second and third blocks will be directed by Adeyemi Michael and Christiana Ebohon-Green. Other authors include Ameir Brown, Isis Davis, Emma Dennis-Edwards, and Edem Wornoo in addition to Candice Carty-Williams.