REPUTATION: BBC ANNOUNCES NEW LEGAL DRAMA FROM THE FORGE

The BBC has commissioned Reputation, a new drama from The Forge (Just Act Normal, Falling, A Woman of Substance), a Banijay UK company. The series is created and written by Anya Reiss (Becoming Elizabeth, A Doll’s House) for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Reputation is an audacious and glossy new drama that shows what happens when a celebrity legal battle spirals out of control. The six-part series centres on Elaine, a formidable lawyer who has built her career defending free expression who gets pulled into the case of the decade representing global pop star Davina Knight.

After Davina releases a provocative new song accusing her ex-husband, Billy, of abusive behaviour and he retaliates in kind, their private breakdown erupts into a very public libel battle.

The case is fought far beyond the courtroom, as PR machines are deployed, laws are bent and social media platforms become judge, jury and battleground - driving outrage for clicks and warping the truth. For Elaine, the case puts her own personal life in the line of fire. How far will she go to win and at what cost? And for Davina, how far will she go to protect her reputation?

Anya Reiss, writer of Reputation says: “When I found out London was the global capital of high stakes libel cases - where the rich, powerful and famous come to fight in public for their reputations - I was in. I’ve loved writing this world and now I’m excited to get it off the page and onto the screen.”

George Ormond, Executive Producer and Joint Managing Director for The Forge said: “We are so excited to be working with Anya again – her scripts are sharp, badly behaved, very funny and totally addictive.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “Reputation is high-stakes, intoxicating and hugely entertaining, with a lot to say about the world. In Elaine and Davina the brilliant Anya Reiss has created two lead characters for the ages, and we’re delighted to be working with her, Mahalia and the team at The Forge to bring this very public battle to BBC iPlayer and BBC One.”

Reputation (6x60) was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama.