The Dream Lands is a futuristic BBC1 drama based on the novel Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee and stars Anna Friel, Connor Swindells, Clara Rugaard, Katherine Parkinson, Pascale Kann and Golda Rosheuvel.
It's a story of romantic awakening and self-discovery in British society that is seemingly falling apart. It's set in 2039 in Margate, a Kent seaside resort on the south east coast of England, as climate change really kicks in and wreaks havoc, making the political climate equally threatening.
The action follows Chance, a young woman forced to fight for her family’s survival in a world that’s crumbling around her. Described as ‘part conspiracy and part relationship drama’, the story sees Chance fall in love with a girl called Franky, who has ties to the establishment, but becomes caught up in a defiant community determined to fight back.
Here’s everything we know about BBC1 series ….
The Dream Lands release date
The Dream Lands is a six-part series that will air on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer, likely in 2025. As soon as a release date is announced, we’ll let you know on here.
The Dream Lands plot
The Dream Lands is set in Margate in 2039, where inequality is rife and temperatures have started to soar. The effects of climate change have taken hold and the seas are rising plus those in power are equally menacing. Chance has resorted to crime just to survive but then her community is chosen for a government regeneration scheme that promises to bring the coastal town back to life. Then Chance falls for Franky, a girl with links to the establishment, and she realises that not everything is as it seems.
Is there a trailer?
Not yet but if the BBC releases a trailer for The Dream Lands closer to the air date, we’ll add it to this page.
The Dream Lands cast
The Dream Lands stars Anna Friel (Marcella, Broken) as Jas, Connor Swindells (SAS Rogue Heroes, Sex Education, Barbie) as Kole, Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother, Black Mirror) as Franky, BAFTA award-winner Katherine Parkinson (Rivals, Significant Other) as Antonia, Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton, Dune: Part One) as Iona, Jacob Greenway (The Watchers, Father Brown) as JD, Tareq Al-Jeddal (Ridley, Maternal) as Nye, Scarlett Rayner (Trying, Silverpoint) as Stevie, Ruby Bridle (Gates, Casualty) as Nugget, and Raphael Sowole (The Crow Girl, Apartment 7A) as Trevor.
Behind the scenes and more on The Dream Lands
The Dream Lands is a six-part series is produced by SISTER (This is Going to Hurt, Gangs of London) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The drama was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. It is executive produced by Naomi de Pear (This is Going to Hurt, The Power) and Holly Pullinger (This is Going to Hurt, Eric) for SISTER, Kayleigh Llewellyn (In My Skin, Killing Eve, Chloe), Lucy Forbes (This is Going to Hurt, In My Skin, Eric), author Rosa Rankin-Gee and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC. It was developed by Director of Development for SISTER Alice Tyler (The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies).
The novel Dreamland has been adapted for the screen by Kayleigh Llewellyn, creator of the series In My Skin, who says: “Telling stories I care about alongside a team of women I admire is the very reason I do this job, so working on The Dream Lands has been a gift. It’s an honour to be adapting Rosa Rankin-Gee’s beautiful, searing words for the screen. Especially as it’s given me an excuse to collaborate once more with my old friend, the supremely talented, Lucy Forbes (executive producer). And I’m so thrilled we’ve found a home with the BBC, who support artists’ visions like no one else.”
Executive Producers for SISTER, Naomi de Pear and Holly Pullinger, say: “Chance’s journey is one of love and defiance against the odds. Finding our Chance in Pascale Kann, alongside our exceptional ensemble cast that fully embodies the heart and soul of this world, is a true privilege. With the talented Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja directing, we’re excited for audiences to experience this powerful story.”
Kelsey Balance, EVP of Global Scripted at Universal International Studios, says: “The Dream Lands is a story that demands to be told, and with the brilliant Pascale Kann leading the cast, we’re excited to see it come to life. Kayleigh Llewellyn’s sharp writing, paired with the bold direction of Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja, set the tone for a series that is sure to captivate audiences from start to finish.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: "It's no surprise that Kayleigh's heartfelt and captivating scripts have attracted a cast of such an outstanding calibre, with exciting new talent acting alongside established names already loved by BBC viewers. I can't wait to see them bring The Dream Lands to life."
All about the novel Dreamland
BBC1's drama The Dream Lands is based on the 2021 novel Dreamland written by British author Rosa Rankin-Gee whose first novel The Last Kings of Sark won the Paris Literary Prize in 2011. Dreamland is Rosa’s second novel and is set in a future version of Margate. It takes its name from the amusement park in the town.
“I knew I wanted to write a love story between two young women, and really try and pin down in words the extraordinary, blinding power of that,” says Rosa of Dreamland. “The abject horror of current political leaders, and the way the class system affects every element of life in Britain – I want to write socially realistic novels, so those things can’t be avoided.” Rosa’s mum Maggie Gee is also an author and has written The Red Children and The Ice People
