THE DREAM LANDS: CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NEW BBC COMING-OF-AGE DRAMA

The BBC, SISTER, and Universal International Studios have announced casting for The Dream Lands, a brand-new six-part coming-of-age drama for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Based on Rosa Rankin-Gee's enthralling novel Dreamland, the series is brought to life for TV by BAFTA award-winning writer Kayleigh Llewellyn (In My Skin, Killing Eve), delivering a gripping and intense journey driven by love, hope, and an unyielding will to survive.

Newcomer Pascale Kann (September Says) takes the lead role as Chance, a fiercely loyal, intelligent, and hyper-vigilant 17-year-old who’s been forced to become her family’s protector from an early age in a world that never lets up.

The Dream Lands will also star Emmy award-winner Anna Friel (Marcella, Broken) as Jas, Connor Swindells (SAS Rogue Heroes, Sex Education, Barbie) as Kole, Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother, Black Mirror) as Franky, BAFTA award-winner Katherine Parkinson (Rivals, Significant Other) as Antonia.

Plus Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton, Dune: Part One) as Iona, Jacob Greenway (The Watchers, Father Brown) as JD, Tareq Al-Jeddal (Ridley, Maternal) as Nye, Scarlett Rayner (Trying, Silverpoint) as Stevie, and Raphael Sowole (The Crow Girl, Apartment 7A) as Trevor.

The series is directed by Erika Calmeyer (Tore, Young Royals) and Myriam Raja (Top Boy, Tehzeeb) and is produced by Jon Jennings (Sex Education, Renegade Nell). The series is now filming in Margate and Bristol and is co-produced by SISTER (The Split, This Is Going to Hurt, Black Doves) and Universal International Studios (The Undeclared War, Everyone Else Burns).

Kayleigh Llewellyn, writer and executive producer, says: “I’m completely awed by this stellar ensemble, all brought together under the expert eye of our casting director, Rachel Sheridan. We feel incredibly lucky to be working with a cast that blends new young talent, who I believe are the stars of tomorrow, and acclaimed actors, who will be delving into areas we’ve never seen them explore before… I’m thrilled to finally see this world brought to life by this phenomenal cast and our visionary directors, Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja.”

Executive Producers for SISTER, Naomi de Pear and Holly Pullinger, say: “Chance’s journey is one of love and defiance against the odds. Finding our Chance in Pascale Kann, alongside our exceptional ensemble cast that fully embodies the heart and soul of this world, is a true privilege. With the talented Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja directing, we’re excited for audiences to experience this powerful story.”

Kelsey Balance, EVP of Global Scripted at Universal International Studios, says: “The Dream Lands is a story that demands to be told, and with the brilliant Pascale Kann leading the cast, we’re excited to see it come to life. Kayleigh Llewellyn’s sharp writing, paired with the bold direction of Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja, set the tone for a series that is sure to captivate audiences from start to finish.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: "It's no surprise that Kayleigh's heartfelt and captivating scripts have attracted a cast of such an outstanding calibre, with exciting new talent acting alongside established names already loved by BBC viewers. I can't wait to see them bring The Dream Lands to life."

Set in a near-future Margate, against a backdrop of soaring inequality, The Dream Lands tells the story of Chance and her family, a young woman who discovers life and love, while being forced to fight for her family ad friends’ survival in a world that’s crumbling around her.

It’s 2039 and temperatures are soaring, seas are rising, and the political climate is equally as menacing. Chance is living a life of crime just to get by, when her community is singled out for a government rejuvenation scheme, promising to bring her coastal town back to life. But when Chance falls in love with Franky, a girl with ties to the establishment, she and those closest to her begin to realise that all may not be as it seems.

The Dream Lands is a thrilling voyage of romantic awakening and self-discovery, a defiant community fighting back. A high stakes relationship drama set against a backdrop of conspiracy, the story blazes with the enduring power of love and hope, in a world spinning out of control.

Produced by SISTER and Universal International Studios for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, The Dream Lands was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama.