MY NAME IS LEON: FIRST LOOK IMAGES OF BBC DRAMA ADAPTATION

First look images have been released for BBC One’s adaptation of Kit de Waal’s lauded debut novel My Name is Leon.

The one-off 90-minute film stars Malachi Kirby, Monica Dolan, Olivia Williams, Christopher Eccleston, Poppy Lee Friar, Shobna Gulati and Sir Lenny Henry CBE.

Cole Martin will play the lead, Leon, in his first TV role. Lynette Linton, Artistic Director of world-famous home for new plays and playwrights, the Bush Theatre, will direct, her directorial debut on a television drama.

Set in 1980s Birmingham, this film tells the story of nine year-old Leon, a mixed-race boy, and his quest to reunite his family after being taken into care and separated from his blond and blue-eyed baby brother.

Told through Leon’s eyes, we follow his journey, full of energy and hopefulness despite the hardships he encounters, and witness the touching relationship between him and his foster carer Maureen.

With his favourite action figure Sergeant Smith by his side, Leon’s adventure teaches him valuable lessons about himself, the world, love, and what family, in its various guises, really means.

Mona Qureshi, Executive Producer for BBC One, says: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Douglas Road, Ringside and Vicarious on this very special adaptation of My Name Is Leon for BBC One. I can’t wait to see Lynette and our fantastic cast bring Shola’s take on Kit De Waal’s brilliant and utterly affecting story to life.”