What's On TV were very lucky to be invited to the set of new BBC1 drama Dickensian last night, which looks amazing.
To give you a flavour of this lavish 20-part drama involving all the famous Dickens characters in a murder mystery story, take a look at a newly released picture above of Stephen Rea in Dickensian playing the inquisitive Inspector Bucket from Bleak House.
A glittering event at the Dickensian set was hosted by BBC Director-General Tony Hall and BBC1 Controller Charlotte Moore who told us more about the TV treats coming to BBC1 very soon, as well as announcing plenty of exciting new projects and their plans for the future...
"This autumn, BBC One will bring the nation together with a distinctive mix of high-quality programmes that will empower, surprise and inspire audiences," said Charlotte. "From Abi Morgan's River to landmark natural history series The Hunt and Great Barrier Reef, original 20-part series Dickensian, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Waste, to The Night Manager, the epic War And Peace, The Tracey Ullman Show and returning global hits Luther and Sherlock, to name just a few.
"Two years into the role, I believe BBC1 is more modern, more in touch with the audience, more diverse and more ambitious. I want our drama to take the audience to places they haven't been before with pioneering new commissions like Troy: The Fall of a City. In factual, I will champion bringing brave, bold, real-life drama to the screen with new shows Saving Lives At Sea and Paul O'Grady's Sally Army.
"BBC1's commitment to ambitious and pioneering television like this is unrivalled. When you see BBC1's autumn/winter schedule, I hope you will be blown away by the range, the quality and the extraordinary line-up. It demonstrates a channel that’s distinctive, best in class, and at the top of its game, raising the bar of what British television can offer.
"We all know BBC1's remit is to entertain, educate and inform for a mainstream audience. But tonight I want to make three promises. BBC1 will be defined in the coming years by its commitment to risk taking. I will guarantee investment in innovation. And I will challenge every new commission to break the mould."
