HBO will collaborate with BBC on new series Lions from Baby Reindeer maker

HBO has joined Lions, the BBC drama series from Baby Reindeer creator and star Richard Gadd. The British public broadcaster unveiled the project in February, two months before Gadd (pictured below) became a major international star thanks to the success of the dark Netflix dramedy, one of the most watched series ever.



The new series asks the question "What does it mean to be a man?". When Niall's estranged 'brother' Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives.

Lions spans nearly forty years, from the 1980s to the present, and covers the highs and lows of the brothers' relationship, from their meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults - with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry and challenging moments along the way. It will capture the wild energy of a changing city and world.

Gadd writes and is responsible for production.

Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck are attached to direct. The series comes from Mam Tor Productions, founded by Tally Garner and backed by Banijay. Garner and Morven Reid produce for Mam Tor alongside Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. Wendy Griffin is the producer.

The new series comes at a time when the Baby Reindeer controversy continues. Fiona Harvey, who is said to be the inspiration for Jessica Gunning's stalker Martha, is suing Netflix, apparently for suggesting Baby Reindeer is a "true story."

Gadd said, “Ordering a HBO boxset of The Sopranos, The Wire, or Oz and watching it from start to finish were some of the happiest moments of my childhood. Since then, it has always been a dream of mine to work with HBO and be part of their iconic roster of shows. I am so grateful to Francesca Orsi, Kara Buckley and Clint LaVigne for taking this chance on the show and on Ruben and Niall too who – despite growing up in a dead-end Scottish town – would be absolutely pinching themselves at this. I cannot wait to get started.”

Kara Buckley, SVP, HBO Drama Programming, said, “We are tremendously excited to partner with the BBC and Richard Gadd, whose remarkable talent continues to make waves across the globe. With this new, gripping and evocative series, we are proud to welcome Richard to the HBO family.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added, “We are delighted that HBO are joining us to bring Richard Gadd’s exquisite Lions scripts to the screen. This is bold, brilliant, one-of-a-kind storytelling and we can’t wait for viewers to see it.”