Slow Horses star Joanna Scanlan's "brilliant" Birmingham-set period drama drops exciting first look

First-look images for Birmingham-based drama series The Cadburys show its star-studded cast in character. The six-part series, which is set to stream on U in 2027, finished filming in Birmingham recently.

The period drama is set to tell the story of the Cadbury family, who founded the world-famous Cadbury chocolate empire.

The cast includes Toby Regbo, Harry Gilby, Jessica Barden and Pearce Quigley starring as Richard, George, Maria, and John respectively, with first-look images transporting us to 1860s Birmingham.

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A synopsis for the series teases: "In 1860s Birmingham, when chocolate as we know it doesn’t yet exist, two very different brothers, Richard (Regbo) and George Cadbury (Gilby), find themselves in charge of their family’s failing cocoa business.

"Together, they have the radical genius and burning ambition to turn Cadbury into one of the world’s most beloved confectioners – if they can only learn to trust and rely on each other.

"Their sister Maria (Barden) is navigating her own role within the family and the business, but things become even more complicated when she falls in love with Cadbury’s biggest rival, Francis Fry (Hardy) and is forced to question where her true loyalties really lie."

It continues: "Infused with historical delights and magical invention, The Cadburys is about how we build, break and rebuild the bonds of family – and how the sweetest things in life are rarely simple."

Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning at UKTV, described the show as a "brilliant new feel-good drama".

"The series showcases the exceptional creative talent, locations and production expertise found across the West Midlands, while bringing a story with deep roots in the region to audiences across the UK and beyond," she said.

"We're proud to be working with our partners to bring this major new drama to screen and champion the West Midlands as a centre for world-class television production."

The Cadburys is set to stream on U in 2027.

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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more. Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club. LinkedIn