The six-part series will launch on free-streaming service U in 2027.
A set of first look images have been released for The Cadburys (6x60'), the upcoming six-part series that tells the story of the Cadbury family, with Toby Regbo, Harry Gilby, Jessica Barden and Pearce Quigley starring as Richard, George, Maria and John. Filming recently concluded in Birmingham, with the series set to launch on free-streaming service in 2027.
(Top L-R) Harry Gilby as George Cadbury, Toby Regbo as Richard Cadbury, Poppy Gilbert as Elizabeth Adlington, Joanna Scanlan as Dorothy Adlington, Jessica Barden as Maria Cadbury and Mathew Baynton as Joseph Rowntree
The first look images offer a glimpse at the Cadbury family in 1860s Birmingham, from George's obsession to create the first solid eating cocoa, to the romance between Richard and Elizabeth Adlington (Poppy Gilbert) and the irresistible attraction between Maria and Francis Fry (Ben Hardy). The images released also provide a first look at John Cadbury, Elizabeth's mother, Dorothy (Joanna Scanlan), and fellow-inventor, Joseph Rowntree (Mathew Baynton).
(Top L-R) Ben Hardy as Francis Fry, Jessica Barden as Maria Cadbury, Toby Regbo as Richard Cadbury, Harry Gilby as George Cadbury, Jessica Barden as Maria Cadbury, Harry Gilby as George Cadbury, Toby Regbo as Richard Cadbury and Poppy Gilbert as Elizabeth Adlington
The Cadburys (previously announced under the working title of Chocolate Wars) is a UKTV commission with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television, produced by Fable Pictures, in association with Alfresco Pictures, and written by Chlo Mi Lin Ewart (Curfew, All Creatures Great and Small, Beyond Paradise). Sony Pictures Television will handle worldwide sales as international distributor, with Creative UK providing regional support through the ERDF funded West Midlands Production Fund.
The first-look images will also be unveiled by Mayor Richard Parker on 8th October as part of the West Midlands Growth Summit.The Cadburys exemplifies the West Midlands ambitions to grow and develop the regional creative industries sector, having been recognised as the countrys newest screen production hub earlier this year. The Mayor recently visited The Cadburys set during filming, and saw first-hand how top-level production comes together to tell the story of the visionary Cadbury family, the underdogs of the cocoa world, on their journey towards creating the world-famous Cadbury's chocolate bar.
Pearce Quigley as John Cadbury
In 1860s Birmingham, when chocolate as we know it doesn't yet exist, two very different brothers, Richard (Regbo) and George Cadbury (Gilby), find themselves in charge of their family's failing cocoa business. Together, they have the radical genius and burning ambition to turn Cadbury into one of the world's most beloved confectioners - if they can only learn to trust and rely on each other. Their sister Maria (Barden) is navigating her own role within the family and the business, but things become even more complicated when she falls in love with Cadbury's biggest rival, Francis Fry (Hardy) and is forced to question where her true loyalties really lie. Infused with historical delights and magical invention, The Cadburys is about how we build, break and rebuild the bonds of family - and how the sweetest things in life are rarely simple.
Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning at UKTV, said: "Were excited to reveal the first-look images from The Cadburys, a brilliant new feel-good drama inspired by one of Birminghams most iconic stories. The series showcases the exceptional creative talent, locations and production expertise found across the West Midlands, while bringing a story with deep roots in the region to audiences across the UK and beyond. Were proud to be working with our partners to bring this major new drama to screen and champion the West Midlands as a centre for world-class television production."
The Cadburys has been commissioned by Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning at UKTV, and ordered by Emma Tibbetts, director of scripted programming, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. The series is produced by Fable Pictures in association with Alfresco Pictures and executive produced by Faye Ward, Freddie Highmore, Hannah Price and Claire Londy with Helen Perry for UKTV and Jess O'Riordan and Jon Farrar for BritBox. Directors for the series will be Tom McKay (After the Flood, Ten Pound Poms, There She Goes) and Jill Robertson (The Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Ludwig, Dalgleish) with Hannah Farrell, co-creative director from Fable Pictures as series producer and Jo Farrugia as casting director. Chlo Mi Lin Ewart leads the writing team, alongside Eve Hedderwick Turner and Karim Khan.
Sony Pictures Television will introduce global clients to The Cadburys as part of the studios 2026 MIPCOM slate. Fable Pictures is a SPT-backed company.
The Cadburys is a brand-new U&Original commission and will launch on free-streaming service, , in 2027. The series will also be available on free-to-air channel, U&DRAMA. The commission sits alongside hit dramas for U including Bergerac, starring Damien Molony and written by Toby Whithouse, Outrageous, telling the true story of the Mitford sisters with Bessie Carter and Joanna Vanderham, as well as The Marlow Murder Club, starring Samantha Bond, Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew. Bookish, created, written by and starring Mark Gatiss, will also return for a Christmas Special this December.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Phelps, Communications Manager - Scripted, UKTV
Shannon Bulmer, Publicist - Scripted, UKTV
Notes for Editors:
Images available HERE
Image credit: UKTV / BritBox / Sony
The Cadburys was initially announced under the working title ofChocolate Wars
The Cadburys is inspired by Deborah Cadbury's book, Chocol
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