Danny and the Human Zoo

Danny and the Human Zoo
GenreDrama
Written byLenny Henry
Directed byDestiny Ekaragha
StarringLenny Henry
Kascion Franklin
Evanna Lynch
Arthur Darvill
James Phelps
Oliver Phelps
Richard Wilson
Richard Boland
John Yapp
Peter Bankole
Michael Crump
ComposerBen Onono
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersPolly Hill
Caroline Hollick
Nicola Shindler
ProducerJuliet Charlesworth
Running time90 minutes
Production companyRed Production Company
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release31 August 2015 (2015-08-31)

Danny and the Human Zoo is a British drama television film that first broadcast on BBC One on 31 August 2015.[1] The ninety-minute film, written by Lenny Henry and directed by Destiny Ekaragha, is a fictionalised account of the former's life as a teenager in 1970s Dudley.[2][3][4]

Production

The film was commissioned by Charlotte Moore and Ben Stephenson.[5] The head of BBC One wanted to give black actors more prominent television roles.[6] The executive producers are Caroline Hollick, Nicola Shindler and Polly Hill.[7]

References

  1. ^ Dowell, Ben (28 February 2014). "Lenny Henry to make film about his early life for BBC1". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  2. ^ "BBC orders Lenny Henry biographical drama". The List. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  3. ^ "BBC orders Lenny Henry biographical drama". Virgin Media. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  4. ^ Young, Gary (28 February 2014). "Lenny Henry writes TV drama about Dudley childhood". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  5. ^ Chapman, Stephen (28 February 2014). "Red Production Co makes Lenny Henry drama for BBC One". Prolific North. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  6. ^ Spence, Alex (28 February 2014). "BBC boost for female and black actors". The Times. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  7. ^ Considine, Pippa (28 February 2014). "BBC One champions dramas based on real life". Televisual. Retrieved 8 March 2014.