Gangs of London star Paapa Essiedu has landed his next lead TV role.
The actor will star in new BBC drama Babies announced by the broadcaster today (November 27), written by Marriage's Stefan Golaszewski.
The new six-part series will follow a young couple as they embark on a journey to become parents, experiencing heartbreak, grief, hope and happiness along the way.
Essiedu co-leads the drama with Bodkin star Siobhán Cullen, playing Lisa and Stephen.
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The supporting cast includes Peaky Blinders' Charlotte Riley and Jack Bannon of Pennyworth and Endeavour fame, in what promises to be a "warm and touching drama".
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"Lisa (Cullen) and Stephen (Essiedu) are dealing with the painful struggle of pregnancy loss while life continues around them," reads the official synopsis.
"However, despite facing dark times of grief and loneliness, they are finding their way through it with a burning sense of hope, humour, and love, realising the strength of their relationship, which will ultimately bring them closer than ever."
Filming on the drama is currently underway on location in London.
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Screenwriter Golaszewski, who will also direct Babies, was full of praise for the four "incredible actors". He said in a statement: "Their warmth, detail and deep humanity are essential to telling this crucial story that’s never told."
Essiedu has most recently appeared on the big screen in The Outrun alongside Saoirse Ronan, a film based on a 2016 memoir by Scottish journalist and author Amy Liptrot.
Fans will also see Essiedu on the small screen soon in Black Doves, a new London-set spy show starring Keira Knightley and Happy Valley's Sarah Lancashire, which lands on Netflix on December 5.
Black Doves has already been renewed for a second season by the streaming service ahead of its season one release.
There is currently no release date for Babies.
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Emily is an experienced freelance entertainment writer and editor, reporting on all things TV, film, soaps and showbiz. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, with a First Class Honours degree in Journalism from the University of Sussex, Emily is a former Deputy News Editor and Evening News Editor at Digital Spy. She has previously worked at Hello magazine, BBC South News and GoodtoKnow.
A small and big-screen obsessive – with subscriptions to every TV and film service under the sun – Emily knows her movie stars from soap stars, and is always clued up on the latest reality show dumping, just-dropped trailer or off-screen spat. She's interviewed a number of celebrities over the years, with highlights including The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett and GMB's Kate Garraway (who "loved" her trousers).
Emily counts Sharon Horgan and Julia Davis as her TV heroes, and is a loyal Wes Anderson fan. LinkedIn
