Crongton book series to become BBC Children's comedy drama
- Alex Wheatle's urban housing estate set children's novels are to become the BBC iPlayer series Crongton
- Aimed at a 10-12 year-old audience, the books are being adapted for the screen by comedian Archie Maddocks
- He says: "Like many, many fans of the novels, I can't wait to finally see the transformation of Alex's amazing world from the page to the screen"
Comedian Archie Maddocks is adapting the best-selling novels by Alex Wheatle to become comedy drama series Crongton.
The ten-part series, aimed at a 10-12 year-old audience and commissioned for BBC iPlayer, will focus on the lives and journeys of a group of young people living in a thriving, multicultural community in a fictional urban housing estate, as they navigate the complexities of social politics, peer pressure and identity while trying to forge a place for themselves within a world full of possibility and littered with danger.
The Crongton book series started in 2015 with Liccle Bit, and Crongton Knights, Straight Outa Crongton and In The Ends have followed. The novels have won gongs such as the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.
The BBC says: "Shot through with irreverent humour and featuring animated fantasy sequences, it's a joyful, energetic ride through the trials and tribulations of growing up, a celebration of the kind of community you only find on an estate, and a look at how you come to terms with the darkness of the world around you when you're on the cusp of childhood and adulthood."
Archie Maddocks comments: "Reading Alex Wheatle's books, I was struck by how much the characters and their world reflect my own upbringing. They were just like me and my friends; I could have known them all. Crongton is a project that has been close to my heart for a very long time and, like many, many fans of the novels, I can't wait to finally see the transformation of Alex's amazing world from the page to the screen."
Willow Grylls and Imogen O'Sullivan from production company New Pictures says: "Alex Wheatle's Crongton books are modern classics, and well-thumbed staples in classrooms across the country. They offer a picture of a diverse, chaotic, funny, and joyful British experience with so much to say to young people, and particularly young people from less well represented backgrounds. Our aim with this television adaptation of Crongton is to charm not just young people, but everyone young at heart in a visually distinctive, uniquely British series, with real cultural importance, and wide international appeal. We're very proud to be playing a part in helping bring the stories of Liccle Bit, Venetia, and the gang to the widest audience possible."
Amy Buscombe from BBC Children's adds: "With more screen choice than ever before it's vital that young people see their lives and the issues they face represented on TV. This commission will bring the characters and stories from Crongton to a whole new audience on BBC iPlayer in what will be a high quality and creative drama."
Casting is now beginning on the project.