MAJOR PLAYERS: CHANNEL 4 ANNOUNCES NEW DRAMA FROM MOLLY MANNING WALKER

Channel 4 has announced the first original series from award-winning writer and director Molly Manning Walker, produced by A24.

Major Players (6x30’) is an original drama co-written by Molly Manning Walker (How To Have Sex) and Yasmin Joseph (A Thousand Blows) about two girls on the brink of adulthood and their mission to start a women’s football team.

Inspired by Molly’s own experiences at high school where the crowd control was more urgent than the education, the series is a love letter to football and a funny and wild exploration of young people in London today, tackling topics from friendship to gender politics.

Molly’s debut feature film ‘How To Have Sex’ was developed by Film4 and won the Un Certain Regard Award at the Cannes Film Festival and the European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI at the European Film Awards. The film also earned two BAFTA nominations for Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. 

Molly is also the co-founder of Babe City FC, a London-based Sunday league football team for women and non-binary people in the film industry – a club of over 180 members.

Molly Manning Walker said, “I can’t wait to bring Major Players to life with this amazing team. It is a coming of age story, filled with first love, grief and bicycle kicks set in your local cage. I’m excited to shine a light on women’s football which I’m a huge fan and supporter of.”

Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama said, “Molly is one of the most exciting new filmmaking voices to emerge from the UK in years, and it’s a thrill to be continuing our journey with her on Major Players, alongside Yasmin Joseph and our friends at A24. With its mix of wit, heart and fearless energy, it’s exactly the kind of fresh storytelling we champion across Film4 and Channel 4 Drama.”

Major Players was commissioned by Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, Gwawr Lloyd, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 Drama and Farhana Bhula, Deputy Director and Head of Creative, Film4. The series will be made by A24 and the producer is Matthew Mulot (Baby Reindeer). Molly Manning Walker will direct and executive produce.

Casting details will be announced in due course.