A four-part drama series about a Jewish woman’s fight against fascism in post-war Britain has been commissioned for the BBC.
Ridley Road, by Jo Bloom and adapted for TV by Sarah Solemani – both of whom are Jewish - tells the story of Vivien Epstein, who arrives in London in the early 1960s hoping to find a man she had a brief, intense love affair with.
Epstein finds herself swept up both in London’s intoxicating sexual and musical revolution and the fight against resurgent fascism, taking place on her own doorstep in and around Ridley Road, in the borough of Hackney.
Following the trail of her lover, Epstein is eventually confronted with a terrible choice – whether to follow her heart or protect her people, country and principles she is willing to die for.
Ms Solemani, is also known for her roles in the BAFTA award-wining series Him & Her, No Offence and Bridget Jones’ Baby, said: “Britain’s relationship with fascism is closer and more alive than we like to think. Luckily, so is our rich heritage of fighting it.
"Jo Bloom’s gripping book revealed a darker side of Sixties London and the staggering contribution the Jewish community made in the battle against racism. I am thrilled to be working with RED and the BBC to bring this little-known slice of British history to the screen.”
Nicola Shindler, executive producer and Chief Executive of RED, which is producing the drama, said: “It’s hugely exciting to adapt this story into a drama.
"While it’s set during a relatively unknown part of British history, Ridley Road echoes what is happening today with the growing rhetoric against people of a different race or nationality, and it feels like a really timely drama to bring to audiences.”
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