Queer As Folk writer Russell T Davies is returning to Channel 4 with two new eight-part dramas exploring contemporary gay life.
The dramas are Davies’ first work for the channel since 2000 and will be made by Nicola Shindler’s RED Production Company which produced Queer As Folk.
Cucumber follows 46 year old Henry and his long-suffering boyfriend Lance. Life for Henry and Lance is comfortable and settled.
But his life is disrupted after disastrous night involving a death, a threesome, two police cars and the Glee Christmas Album.
Companion drama Banana follows the lives of characters orbiting around Henry in Cucumber. From young lesbian Scotty’s first love, to 19 year old Dean’s mysterious family secrets, Banana covers 50 shades of gay, and beyond.
Channel 4 promises the shows will feature “the same ferocious wit, startling honesty and heartfelt warmth that made Queer As Folk a landmark series.”
Cucumber was originally developed by Davies and BBC Worldwide which will distribute the drama internationally.
Both shows will begin filming in spring 2014 in Manchester for broadcast later in the year.
Supporting shows will be supported by Tofu, an eight-part online factual series offering real people the chance to share their unique stories of sexual experiences.
Russell T Davies says; “I once read about a scientific institute which had studied the male erection. It divided the hard-on into four categories, from soft to hard. One, tofu. Two, peeled banana. Three, banana. And four, cucumber. Right there and then, I knew I had my drama. And it’s a joy to be back with Channel 4 and RED, to tell these stories.”
Channel 4 Head of Drama, Piers Wenger says; “No one can look into the heart and soul of modern relationships quite like Russell and across Channel 4, E4 and online, he paints an unflinching and forensic portrait of how our sex lives affect us all. It might be fifteen years since Queer As Folk, but he has made it more than worth the wait.”
Nicola Shindler, founder and executive producer, RED Production Company adds; “The opportunity to work with Russell again is completely thrilling and the chance to make a drama for Channel 4 that once again takes such a glorious, funny and perceptive look at this word is incredibly exciting. We want to make this a huge, impactful production and are looking forward to starting.”