HBO Boards BBC's Family Drama Commission 'Lions'

Of the 11 new shows the BBC's Director of Drama, Lindsay Salt, greenlit in February 2024, the least surprising was Lions, the pitch from Richard Gadd. If that name rings a bell, it should; Gadd became a household name in America thanks to Netflix early in 2024 after his "based on a true story" series, Baby Reindeer, became a viral sensation. Of course, the BBC wanted some of that, and Lions, which is far more fictionalized than the Netflix series, looked like a winner. Salt doesn't seem to be the only one who thinks so either, as Casey Bloys and HBO have now signed on to co-produce, giving the show a guaranteed distributor in America.

Baby Reindeer represented the best and worst of Netflix's impulses. The series is compulsively watchable, perfect for binging, with deeply complex psychological ponderings about those who are abused and how they find themselves drawn into abusive situations over and over. It also was not vetted carefully by the streaming service, partly because those in charge didn't assume the show would get that much traction, instead choosing to trust Gadd when he said he'd done everything possible to disguise the real-life people upon who the characters were based. In point of fact, Gadd didn't try very hard to disguise himself or his stalker "Martha," whom viewers found within hours of the show's debut and began harassing her.

Thankfully, both the BBC and HBO are not networks known for playing fast and loose with the rules. Especially with Netflix and Baby Reindeer facing a massive lawsuit, one assumes this show will be much more carefully controlled. As for the actual plot, well, that's going to be a matter of personal preference.

Here's the official synopsis:

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. Spanning almost forty years from the 1980s to the present day, this ambitious series will cover the highs and lows of the brothers' relationship, from them 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 - a changing world, even - and try to get to the bottom of the difficult question... What does it mean to be a man?  

No cast has been set as yet. Richard Gadd will write all six episodes, with directors Alexandra Brodski (Rivals) and Eshref Reybrouck (Cheyenne & Lola) splitting helming duties. Gadd also executive produces alongside Tally Garner and Morven Reid from Mam Tor Productions, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. 

Lions is expected to announce casting and start filming later in 2024.