ITV has announced the commission of a brand new series from Fat Friends creator Kay Mellor.

The six-part drama will follow three women, Linda, Sue and Gail, each pushing 60 and struggling to cope with what life has to throw at them.

Mellor commented: “I’m delighted that after a long time away I’m once again working for ITV.

“Girlfriends is a topic that’s dear to my heart being a woman of a certain age. I did a conference recently where there were a lot of women saying that they felt invisible, both in life and on screen. There was nothing on television that they could relate to; older women were playing characters that were mothers or grandmothers of the main protagonists.

“So I wanted to change things around a bit and put them centre stage – to make the invisible, visible. Linda, Sue and Gail are in the autumn of their lives and in many ways their lives should be sorted, but instead each year brings another set of problems. There are plenty of secrets, lies and revelations that send shockwaves through their friendship – it’s a delicious drama to write and I hope the audience enjoy watching it as much as I’m enjoying writing it.”

Girlfriends will begin filming in Leeds, York and Harrogate next summer.

The official synopsis reads: “Whilst enjoying a celebratory anniversary cruise, Linda’s husband Micky disappears from their cabin. He’s been hitting the booze hard at the Captain’s table and when he heads back to his cabin on the pretext of finding his glasses Micky is nowhere to be seen.  With the balcony door open, an overturned chair and the curtain billowing aimlessly in the wind, has Micky committed suicide? Or has he accidentally toppled into the sea having consumed one too many cocktails?

“Sue is still a fine looking woman.  She’s never married but has spent the last 30 years in an affair with bridal magazine editor, John, who is also the father of her lawyer son, Andrew.  What happens when John takes a shine to younger model Stacey and wants to promote her into Sue’s job as Features Editor? In spite of her wealth of editorial experience and extensive contacts, will Stacey usurp Sue?

“How can Sue retain her professionalism, her dignity and the respect she so richly deserves when John is trying to force her out?  She’s given the best years of her life to John and with her significant birthday looming will Sue be able to dig her killer heels in at Adorable magazine?

“Gail, on the other hand, has received her decree nisi from second husband Dave.  She has six weeks and a day to win him back before the divorce becomes absolute, but can Gail switch focus from wayward son Tom and grandson Ben to concentrate on saving her marriage? Particularly as Tom is newly released from prison, tagged, and needs her help getting his life back on track.

“Girlfriends will explore the importance of friendship in all our lives and how no matter what life throws at you friends will help you through.”

Kay Mellor recently revealed that a third season of BBC One’s In the Club is currently “on hold.”

Are you looking forward to Girlfriends? Let us know below…