Sky Arts orders four originals

Sky Arts, the UK arts- and culture-themed channel owned by European satcaster Sky, has commissioned four original programmes.

Phil Edgar-Jones

Written by newcomer Jerome Holder, Boys is a short film set in East London in which two best friends fulfil a promise by embarking on a journey that will shape them and the men they will become. Ashley Walters makes his directorial debut.

In unscripted, Offended by Irvine Welsh sees the Trainspotting author explore the nature of offence and its impact. Asking whether the fear of offence and cancel culture affects artists’ creative risk-raking, Welsh sets out to reclaim the right to offend – but not abuse – as an essential tool for artists.

Sky Arts Book Club Live sees hosts Andi Oliver and Elizabeth Day invite four members of an existing book club to chat about new releases, favourite classics and hear directly from different guest authors each episode. The show will air live on Sky Arts and the @SkyTV Facebook page.

Finally, marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig Van Beethoven, Charles Hazlewood: Beethoven & Me will follow British conductor Hazlewood as he explores the composer’s life.

The commissions come as Sky Arts becomes a free-to-air channel this month, having previously been available only to Sky pay TV customers.

Phil Edgar-Jones, director of Sky Arts, said: “We are excited to announce four new programmes today which all speak to our mission to broaden access to the arts – whether that’s a thought-provoking examination of the boundaries of art, looking at Beethoven from a fresh angle, giving a major talent their directorial debut, or a couple of hours looking at the next great book. There’s something on our newly free channel for everyone to enjoy.”