BBC First set for Indian Summers

BBC First, the drama and comedy channel launching soon in Australia, has acquired UK network Channel 4’s period saga Indian Summers, starring Julie Walters.

The new premium network, being developed by the UK pubcaster’s commercial arm BBC Wordwide (BBCWW), is set to go live on August 3 and details have already emerged of its initial line-up.

Indian Summers, now in production, is 10-part series from New Pictures set in the tea plantations of Northern India during the summer of 1932 as British colonial rule moves into decline.

The drama was commissioned by C4 last autumn and is due to air in 2015.

“With its rich cast of characters, stunning locations and stories of promises, secrets, politics, power, sex and love in tumultuous times, Indian Summers is set to be a stand-out series for next year,” said Natalie Edgar, BBCWW Australia and New Zealand’s director of television.

The show will be preceded by other acquisitions including The Honourable Woman, The Musketeers and Peaky Blinders.