Bill Nighy and Helena Bonham Carter lead Hugo Blick's new BBC One drama, California Avenue

A star cast assemble in a 1970s caravan park for Hugo Blick's new drama.

BBC One has today announced California Avenue, a new drama from writer and director Hugo Blick This six-part series brings together a star cast, led by Bill Nighy and Helena Bonham Carter alongside Erin Doherty and Tom Burke.

California Avenue is a story brimming with humour and love. Set in a secluded canal-side caravan park deep in the luscious English countryside, its peace is irrevocably disrupted by the arrival of Lela, played by Erin Doherty, and her 11-year-old child, both on the run, looking for refuge in this hidden world. It is here that a fractured family will come together, ghosts and demons will firmly be put to rest and an unexpected love is forged.

Bill Nighy and Helena Bonham Carter star as Jerry and Eddie, Lela’s parents, while Tom Burke co-stars as showman outcast, Cooper.

Created, written, and directed by Hugo Blick, California Avenue will be made by Drama Republic, produced by Colin Wratten and executive produced by Hugo Blick for Eight Rooks, Greg Brenman for Drama Republic, Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter, and Lucy Richer for the BBC.

Speaking about California Avenue, writer, director and executive producer for Eight Rooks, Hugo Blick said “Over the past few decades, whether through comedy, political dramas or even a western, I’ve looked to explore what television fiction can be. California Avenue is an exploration of the people who inspired me to want to do this.”

To which executive producer and Drama Republic co-founder Greg Brenman, added “In California Avenue, Hugo has conjured a world of precious relationships and unexpected revelations, all delivered with a big, big heart and generous humour. If you ever needed reminding of Hugo’s incredible range as a storyteller, look no further.”

And the BBC’s director of Drama, Lindsay Salt, said "Hugo Blick has given us some of the finest television of the past three decades and it’s an honour to join forces with him alongside Bill, Helena, Erin, Tom and Drama Republic to take BBC viewers on the journey of a lifetime to 1970s California Avenue."

Filming begins later this summer in and around Hertfordshire and further casting will be announced in due course.

California Avenue will air on BBC One