Just Act Normal: First look
The BBC has released first look pictures for new comedy drama Just Act Normal.
The six-part series is based on writer Janice Okoh's play Three Birds, winner of the prestigious Bruntwood Playwriting Prize. Set in Birmingham, it focuses on three siblings who have to hide that their mum has disappeared.
The BBC Three series, which previously had the working title We Go Again, is the first TV role for the three lead actors: Chenée Taylor (who plays Tiana), Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie (Tanika) and Akins Subair (Tionne).
The pictures also feature Romola Garai who plays dedicated, warm-hearted teacher Ms Jenkins:
Sam Buchanan, as the funny and unexpectedly kind Dr Feelgood:
And Jamelia is shown as the larger-than-life Fake Jackie, a stand in for their missing mum:
The series also features Ivanno Jeremiah as laid-back father-of-three Leo, while Jennifer Metcalfe guest stars as Leo's new partner Candy. Meanwhile Talitha Wing plays Rome, an insta-model struggling with her own self-worth.
The blurb for Just Act Normal is as follows: "When their mum disappears, Tiana, Tionne, and Tanika fight to hide the truth from the outside world in order to stay together as a family. As Tiana struggles to keep their regular lives afloat, Tionne displaces his grief and Tanika tries to convince her teacher to adopt them, chaos erupts when their mum's hapless drug dealer, Dr Feelgood, moves in.
"The series is an irreverent portrait of black working-class teenage life. A coming-of-age story of sorts. The first times, the f*ck-ups, and the excruciating desire to be more grown up than you're ready to be. It's a celebration of black joy, of council estates, and corner shops. Of working-class living and working-class dreams. It is human and tender, with a thumping great heart."
Just Act Normal is coming soon to BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.