Baby Reindeer creator announces next drama series with HBO

Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd is ready for a roaring new adventure.

The Scottish writer and comedian has revealed that he's teaming with HBO and BBC for his next big television series, Lions. The six-episode drama, which both networks will co-produce, chronicles the tense, complex relationship between two estranged "brothers," Niall and Ruben, over the course of nearly 40 years. 

"Ordering a HBO boxset of The Sopranos, The Wire, or Oz and watching it from start to finish were some of the happiest moments of my childhood," Gadd said in a press release. "Since then, it has always been a dream of mine to work with HBO and be part of their iconic roster of shows."

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The series kicks off when Ruben makes a surprise appearance at Niall’s wedding that leads to a bloody altercation. Viewers are then taken back in time to witness all the highs and lows of the pair's longtime friendship, from the very first moment they met as teens to their eventual falling-out as adults. 

“We are tremendously excited to partner with the BBC and Richard Gadd, whose remarkable talent continues to make waves across the globe,” senior vice president of HBO drama programming Kara Buckley said in a statement. “With this new, gripping, and evocative series, we are proud to welcome Richard to the HBO family.”

Director of BBC drama Lindsay Salt added, “We are delighted that HBO are joining us to bring Richard Gadd’s exquisite Lions scripts to the screen. This is bold, brilliant, one-of-a-kind storytelling, and we can’t wait for viewers to see it.”

As with Baby Reindeer, Gadd will serve as creator, executive producer, and writer on Lions. Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck are attached to direct, with Wendy Griffin serving as producer, and Tally Garner and Morven Reid from Mam Tor Productions, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland serving as executive producers.

Gadd's last project, Baby Reindeer, recently made headlines after a woman who claims she inspired the stalker series sued Netflix for defamation earlier this month. She is reportedly seeking relief exceeding $50 million in actual damages, $50 million in compensatory damages, all profits from the series (another sum of at least $50 million), $20 million for punitive damages, and attorneys' fees.