Cadbury empire focus of new period drama
UKTV, BritBox, and Sony Pictures Television are bringing the Cadbury family's rise to life in the six-part series Chocolate Wars - a working title.
Cadbury is the focus of a new historical family drama.
Chocolate Wars - working title - follows Richard and George Cadbury as they create the world-famous Cadbury’s chocolate bar, a journey filled with family conflict, romance, rivalry, and ambition.
The synopsis for the UKTV, BritBox and Sony Pictures Television co-commission reads: "In 1860s Birmingham, when chocolate as we know it doesn’t yet exist, two very different brothers, Richard and George Cadbury, find themselves in charge of their family’s failing cocoa business.
"Between them, they have the radical genius and burning ambition to turn Cadbury's into one of the world’s most beloved confectioners. But first, they must learn to trust and rely on each other. And to stop bickering for long enough to actually invent some chocolate!
"Their sister Maria is navigating her own role within the family and the business, but things become even more complicated when she falls in love with Cadbury’s biggest rival, and is forced to question where her true loyalties really lie.
"Infused with historical delights and magical invention, Chocolate Wars is about how we build, break and rebuild the bonds of family - and how the sweetest things in life are rarely simple."
Casting is underway for Chocolate Wars, which has been penned by Beyond Paradise's Chloe Mi Lin Ewart, who leads the writing team alongside Eve Hedderwick Turner and Karim Khan.
And filming of the six-part series - directed by Ten Pound Poms' Tom McKay, and Ludwig's Jill Robertson - is set to start in Birmingham this summer, ready for a 2027 launch on U+DRAMA, as well as the streaming service, U.
Chocolate Wars is produced by Fable Pictures in association with Alfresco Pictures.
Faye Ward and Hannah Farrell, producers, commented: “Chocolate Wars captures the kind of storytelling we love at Fable, epic human dramas about outsiders, dreamers and visionaries who reshape the world around them”
Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning at UKTV, said: “Chocolate Wars is a delicious concoction of period family saga, blended with true story and a dash of Wonka-esque magic.
"We know audiences are in for a treat and we’re grateful to Fable Pictures for bringing to life this irresistible feel-good drama and to Chloë Mi Lin Ewart for realising the Cadbury’s story with such invention.
"We look forward to joining forces with BritBox and Sony to offer this undeniably joyous tale to viewers.”
Emma Tibbetts, director of scripted programming, added: "I can’t wait to unwrap the story of the Cadbury family and for viewers to be captivated by the delicious tale of the underdogs in the cocoa world. The series is a perfect fit for our audience."
Jess O’Riordan, commissioning executive and executive producer at BritBox, said: “Full of warmth and charm, this true story brings the Cadbury family story to life with depth and imagination.
"We’re excited to partner with UKTV, Sony Pictures Television and Fable Pictures on a period drama we know BritBox audiences will truly savour.”
