BBC commissions Dragon Slayers to tell story of former Sunday Times editor

UK pubcaster the BBC has commissioned a factual drama exploring the work of Sir Harry Evans, the late former editor of British newspaper The Sunday Times.

Matthew Rhys

Dragon Slayers will star Matthew Rhys (The Americans, The Beast in Me) as Evans, whose investigative journalism team broke some of the biggest stories in UK history, including the thalidomide scandal in the late 1950s to the early 1960s.

Set during the 1970s, the 1×90’ and 5×60’ series will be written by Peter Bowker (The A Word) and Annalisa Dinnella (Sex Education). It is being produced by AC Chapter One and Universal International Studios for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Patrick Spence, MD of AC Chapter One, said: “The generational impact of Harry and his magnificent team acts as a powerful reminder of how much democracy relies on a fearless press, and what would happen if they could no longer shed light where it is most needed.”

Spence (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) exec produces with Bowker, Rhys and Joe Williams. Al Mackay (The Cage) is directing and Natasha Romaniuk (The Split) is producing. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution is distributing.

In addition, the BBC has also commissioned high-stakes legal drama Reputation, created and written by Anya Reiss (Becoming Elizabeth).

To be produced by The Forge (Just Act Normal), a Banijay UK company, the 6×60’ series focuses on a celebrity feud that spirals out of control.

The show centres on a lawyer representing a global pop star who is drawn into a high-profile libel case after she accuses her ex-husband of abuse in the lyrics of her latest song.

Reputation will be broadcast on BBC One and streamed on iPlayer. Banijay Rights is handling global distribution.