Writers announced for BBC One’s ‘The Secrets’ drama strand

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Savage (True Love, Dive) will direct all five 30-minute films, which the BBC says will “energise creativity and support new talent”.

The director commented: “I am delighted to be part of this new strand which really illustrates what the BBC stands for. Working with new and talented writers along with the best actors the UK has to offer is a real privilege and I can’t wait to get started.”

Juliette Howell, Head of Television, Working Title Television added:  The ambition of the strand is to find these new voices and bring their talent to the wider BBC One audience. Dominic and I have worked together a lot over the years and its exciting to marry his distinctive creative process with this extremely talented group of writers who we believe have a strong future writing for television.”

Episode 1 is written by Elinor Cook, winner of the George Devine Award 2013 for Most Promising Playwright, and tells the story of a man who is married to two women, and, living a secret double life between them, is exposed. It explores whether monogamy is ever a realistic proposition.

Episode 2 is written by by Nick Payne, whose play Constellations, starring Rafe Spall and Sally Hawkins, was nominated in 2012 for the Olivier Award for Best New Play. The episode will star Olivia Colman (Broadchurch), Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey) and Steve Oram (Sightseers), and tells the story of a vet expecting her first child, who has all the chemicals to put pets to sleep, and a mother who is chronically ill and wanting to die.

Episode 3 is written by Ben Ockrent, who has also penned episodes of Waterloo Road and E4’s Youngers. A girl turns up out of the blue claiming to be an unknown sister to a boy, but things are not quite what they seem.

Episode 4 is also written by Nick Payne and follows a police officer who is having an affair with his brother’s wife. When the brother returns from a period away the betrayal leads to an unlikely confrontation.

Episode 5 is written by Bad Education star Sarah Solemani and joins a bride on the eve of her wedding when she discovers her fiancé was once accused of a shocking crime.

The Secrets began filming in London last week and will air on BBC One later this year.

Are you looking forward to The Secrets? Let us know below…