Zoë Wanamaker, Miranda Richardson and Phyllis Logan have been cast in Kay Mellor’s new ITV drama, Girlfriends.
The six-part drama tells the story of Linda, Sue and Gail as they struggle with the responsibilities “that come with being a modern woman of a certain age.”
After the dramatic and sudden death of Linda’s husband Micky, childhood friends Linda (Phyllis Logan), Sue (Miranda Richardson) and Gail (Zoë Wanamaker) find themselves back together again.
Each has their own problems to face; from a looming divorce from the husband she still loves and the loss of a high-powered job through age discrimination, to juggling the endless responsibilities of their grandchildren and aging mothers.
As widowed Linda tries to come to terms with being on her own after over 30 years of marriage, she and her girlfriends are horrified to find that this could be the least of her worries. As questions over the circumstances of Micky’s death start to be asked, accusations reveal secrets, deception and doubts that tear at our Girlfriends’ friendship. Will it endure or will it be severely put to the test?
Girlfriends is a contemporary story about friends, family, responsibilities and the inevitable changes that age brings… But true friendship remains the same no matter how many years have passed.
Writer Kay Mellor said: “Girlfriends is my passion project, it’s a story that I’ve been longing to tell.
“I’m so looking forward to working with such a talented cast. It’s fantastic that we’ve got such high-calibre actors to play the three very different leading characters.”
Polly Hill, ITV’s Head of Drama, added: “This is a fabulous cast and testament to Kay’s wonderful scripts.
“Kay celebrates women of a certain age and female friendship through this wonderful and compelling story. I am proud to have this on ITV and delighted to see Kay return to the channel in such a brilliant way.
“I can’t wait to see Zoë, Miranda and Phyllis bring her characters to life, and look forward to sharing Girlfriends with our audience next year.”
Phyllis Logan said: “I’m thrilled to be part of Girlfriends, written by the wonderful Kay Mellor and to be working not only with her but the stellar cast that has been assembled.
“It’s a hugely exciting project and I feel enormously fortunate to be involved in it. I can’t wait to get started.”
Miranda Richardson commented: “A whole summer spent working on a women-driven script, written and directed by a woman who has proved herself many times over as a force of nature in TV drama alongside some of our most gifted female actors – what’s not to like?”
Zoë Wanamaker added: “I’m looking forward to working on this exciting new series with such a stellar cast.
“I have long been a fan of Kay’s work and am relishing the opportunity to work alongside Miranda and Phyllis.”