BBC3 brings in Football Boss, 21 Again

The BBC’s youth-skewing online network BBC3 has commissioned two documentaries to boost the factual entertainment pillar that was introduced to the channel earlier this year.

Damian Kavanagh

Britain’s Youngest Football Boss and 21 Again (both working titles) will air on the channel from December and early next year.

Britain’s Youngest Football Boss will focus on Jack Sullivan, the 19-year-old MD of West Ham United’s women’s team, as he negotiates his first full-time job.

With women’s football increasing in popularity, the show will explore Sullivan’s task of transforming the team’s fortunes as it makes its bow in the UK’s top female division, the Women’s Super League.

The documentary will feature behind-the-scenes access and give insight into what it takes to be a professional footballer in today’s game, examining whether an inexperienced teenager can change the face of women’s football.

The series is produced by UK indie Curious Films, with Charlie Russell and Dov Freedman serving as executive producers. It was commissioned by BBC3 controller Damian Kavanagh and head of commissioning for popular factual and factual entertainment David Brindley. The BBC commissioning executive is Michael Jochnowitz.

Meanwhile, four-part series 21 Again sees five mums aged between 35 and 45 undergo an age-defying ‘make-under’ to make them appear to be in their 20s.

Using their disguises and newly assimilated knowledge on Gen Z culture, the women will live in a brand new city with their daughters, who will challenge them to experience the highs, the lows and the daily struggles 21-year-olds face today.

Fremantle-backed Naked Television is producing the show, with the firm’s CEO Simon Andreae and creative director Tom O’Brien exec producing. The BBC commissioning executive is Ricky Cooper.