The six-part drama also stars Pascale Kann, Clara Rugaard, Katherine Parkinson and Golda Rosheuvel. 

The BBC have announced The Dream Lands, a new futuristic coming-of-age drama from writer Kayleigh Llewellyn (Killing Eve).

The series adapts Rosa Rankin-Gee’s novel Dreamland and takes place in 2039.

The Dream Lands comes from producer SISTER (KAOS) and Universal International Studios (The Undeclared War). They describe the show as “… a gripping and intense journey driven by love, hope, and an unyielding will to survive.”

Here’s the offical word on The Dream Lands:

Set in a near-future Margate, against a backdrop of soaring inequality, The Dream Lands tells the story of Chance and her family, a young woman who discovers life and love, while being forced to fight for her family ad friends’ survival in a world that’s crumbling around her.

It’s 2039 and temperatures are soaring, seas are rising, and the political climate is equally as menacing. Chance is living a life of crime just to get by, when her community is singled out for a government rejuvenation scheme, promising to bring her coastal town back to life. But when Chance falls in love with Franky, a girl with ties to the establishment, she and those closest to her begin to realise that all may not be as it seems.

The Dream Lands is a thrilling voyage of romantic awakening and self-discovery, a defiant community fighting back. A high stakes relationship drama set against a backdrop of conspiracy, the story blazes with the enduring power of love and hope, in a world spinning out of control.

The cast

Newcomer Pascale Kann (September Says) takes the lead role as Chance. She’s a fiercely loyal, intelligent, and hyper-vigilant 17-year-old who’s been forced to become her family’s protector from an early age in a world that never lets up.

She stars alongside some familiar names, including Anna Friel (Marcella), Connor Swindells (SAS Rogue Heroes) and Katherine Parkinson (Rivals). Plus, Clara Rugaard (Black Mirror) and Bridgerton‘s Golda Rosheuvel.

Also in the cast are Jacob Greenway, Tareq Al-Jeddal, Scarlett Rayner, Ruby Bridle and Raphael Sowole.

The series is filming now in Margate and Bristol with directors Erika Calmeyer (Young Royals) and Myriam Raja (Top Boy). Jon Jennings (Sex Education, Renegade Nell) produces.

Kayleigh Llewellyn, writer and executive producer, says:

“I’m completely awed by this stellar ensemble, all brought together under the expert eye of our casting director, Rachel Sheridan. We feel incredibly lucky to be working with a cast that blends new young talent, who I believe are the stars of tomorrow, and acclaimed actors, who will be delving into areas we’ve never seen them explore before… I’m thrilled to see this world being brought to life by such a phenomenal cast and our visionary directors, Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja.”

We’ll keep you posted on The Dream Lands – the show will air on BBC One and the Iplayer.