Truckers and ghosts feature among new BBC1 dramas

Truckers and ghosts feature among new BBC1 dramas
Truckers and ghosts feature among new BBC1 dramas (Image credit: PA Archive/PA Photos)

Truckers, ghosts, the War of the Roses and a period detective drama feature in the new dramas in the BBC One schedule this year. BBC Commissioning Drama boss Ben Stephenson said the Beeb was upping 'the scale and pace of our output in order to secure the next generation of mainstream hits, risk taking and originality.' Stephenson announced five new commissions. "War Of The Roses is one of the most ambitious projects ever attempted by the BBC – a huge slice of history told from the perspective of the powerful women behind the throne. The Secret Of Crickley Hall, written and directed by Joe Ahearne, is a terrifying and haunting ghost story. "Truckers by William Ivory (Made in Dagenham), a series about truck drivers whose lives on the road conflict with their lives at home, is full of big laughs and emotions. "On the back of the success of Great Expectations this Christmas comes The Moonstone, the world’s first detective story and a powerful love story with the brilliant detective Sergeant Cuff at the centre. Also next Christmas, Room On The Broom, from the makers of The Gruffalo, is a captivating story about friendship, family, cats and witches.” He also announced the recommission of Death in Paradise, starring Ben Miller; Anthony and Cleopatra, starring Sir Derek Jacobi and Sarah Lancashire; Ripper Street, starring Matthew Macfadyen; Hayley Atwell in Restless, based on William Boyd's best-seller; and Sean Bean and Stephen Graham in Jimmy McGovern's Accused.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.