They'll star alongside Elizabeth Berrington, Sharon D Clarke and Maria Doyle Kennedy in what promises to be a tender and glittering adoption story.
Lost Boys and Fairies, written by Welsh writer Daf James was announced in June 2022 and as filming begins in and around Cardiff, bringing to life Gabriel’s performances at queer club-space ‘Neverland’, the BBC has announced the cast who will bring Gabriel and Andy's story of adoption to life.
The four-part drama will chart Gabriel's journey of self-discovery as he grapples with memories of his childhood, attempting to repair his relationship with his dad before becoming a parent himself.
It stars Cardiff-born actor Sion Daniel Young as singer and artiste-extraordinaire Gabriel, Far Fee as his partner Andy alongside Elizabeth Berrington, Sharon D Clarke and Maria Doyle Kennedy as well as Arwel Gruffydd, Shaheen Jafargholi, Mali Ann Rees, William Thomas, Gwyneth Keyworth and Gwawr Loader.
Directed by James Kent, the drama will be executive produced by Jo McClellan for BBC alongside Rebekah Wray-Rogers, Libby Durdy, Jessica Brown Meek, Sophie Francis, Daf James and James Kent for Duck Soup Films.
This is Duck Soup Film's first commission for BBC One. It was commissioned as part of the BBC’s Small Indie Fund which supports the growth of small independent production companies with turnovers below £10m. And speaking about today's news, Libby Durdy of Duck Soup Films says: “We are delighted that Daf’s beautiful story Lost Boys & Fairies will be brought authentically to life by James and this wonderful cast."
Lost Boys and Fairies is also Daf’s first original screenplay for the BBC and was developed as part of BBC Writersroom’s TV Drama Writers’ Programme 2019. Speaking about the drama, Daf said "‘I’m thrilled to be working with this world-class team to bring my personally inspired Welsh, queer, adoption story to screen authentically."
To which director James Kent added "Lost Boys and Fairies is the most beautiful love story I've read. Daf's scripts are heart wrenching, very funny and powerful advocates for the right of gay men and women to parent a child. They left me in floods of tears and as a gay director I'm so excited and honoured to be bringing this story to the general public."
Director of BBC Drama, Lindsay Salt said "It’s a real pleasure to see such a talented cast join forces to bring the wonderful Lost Boys and Fairies to life. Daf’s intelligent and hilarious scripts effortlessly blend the everyday with the extraordinary, and are packed with the most brilliant ensemble of characters ready to take BBC viewers on this fascinating and heartfelt journey."
To which Head of Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales, Nick Andrews added "Daf James has written a beautiful story about a family. Born out of the truths of his own experience Lost Boys and Fairies possesses a unique and distinct emotional power. Daf is fast becoming one of Wales' most distinctive voices and BBC Cymru Wales is very happy to back his important and timely series."
And Head of Creative Wales, Gerwyn Evans said "To see this contemporary and authentic Welsh story, with such a quality writer and production team behind it, being filmed in Cardiff is both exciting and heart-warming. Creative Wales is delighted to be supporting this production as part of our wider work to grow our creative sectors and we can’t wait for it to hit our screens."
Lost Boys and Fairies will air on BBC One