The six-part series is a co-commission with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television and produced by Fable Pictures, in association with Alfresco Pictures
UKTV joins forces with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television for a co-commission of a new period drama Chocolate Wars (w/t - 6x60'), produced by Fable Pictures, in association with Alfresco Pictures, and written by Chlo Mi Lin Ewart (Curfew, All Creatures Great and Small, Beyond Paradise). The series will launch on free-streaming service U in 2027.
Casting is now underway, with filming in Birmingham set to begin this Summer. Sony Pictures Television will handle worldwide sales as international distributor, with Creative UK providing regional support through the ERDF funded West Midlands Production Fund.
Chocolate Wars is a warm-hearted family drama following the visionary Cadbury family, the underdogs of the cocoa world, on their journey towards creating the world-famous Cadbury's chocolate bar.
In 1860s Birmingham, when chocolate as we know it doesn't yet exist, two very different brothers, Richard and George Cadbury, find themselves in charge of their family's failing cocoa business. Between them, they have the radical genius and burning ambition to turn Cadburys into one of the world's most beloved confectioners. But first, they must learn to trust and rely on each other. And to stop bickering for long enough to actually invent some chocolate! Their sister Maria 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, and is forced to question where her true loyalties really lie. Infused with historical delights and magical invention, Chocolate Wars is about how we build, break and rebuild the bonds of family - and how the sweetest things in life are rarely simple.
Chocolate Wars 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 Girls Guide to Murder, Ludwig, Dalgleish), with Hannah Farrell from Fable Pictures as series producer. Chlo Mi Lin Ewart leads the writing team, alongside Eve Hedderwick Turner and Karim Khan.
Helen Perry said: Chocolate Wars is a delicious concoction of period family saga, blended with true story and a dash of Wonka-esque magic. We know audiences are in for a treat and we're grateful to Fable Pictures for bringing to life this irresistible feel-good drama and to Chlo Mi Lin Ewart for realising the Cadbury's story with such invention. We look forward to joining forces with BritBox and Sony to offer this undeniably joyous tale to viewers.
Emma Tibbetts added: "I can't wait to unwrap the story of the Cadbury family and for viewers to be captivated by the delicious tale of the underdogs in the cocoa world. The series is a perfect fit for our audience.
Faye Ward and Hannah Farrell commented: Chocolate Wars captures the kind of storytelling we love at Fable, epic human dramas about outsiders, dreamers and visionaries who reshape the world around them
Jess O'Riordan, commissioning executive and executive producer, BritBox said: Full of warmth and charm, this true story brings the Cadbury family story to life with depth and imagination. We're excited to partner with UKTV, Sony Pictures Television and Fable Pictures on a period drama we know BritBox audiences will truly savour.
As global distributor, Sony Pictures Television will introduce Chocolate Wars to international clients at the studio's 2026 L.A. Screenings Showcase. The annual event, which takes place at the historic Sony Pictures Lot in Culver City, Los Angeles, is happening this Sunday, May 17th.
Chocolate Wars (w/t) is as brand-new U&Original commission and will launch on free-streaming service, U, 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 to U&Alibi this Summer.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Phelps, Communications Manager - Scripted, UKTV
Notes for Editors:
Image available here
About U
U is UKTV's free streaming service in the UK, offering on-demand access to programmes from UKTV's free-to-air channels: U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY and U&eden.
U is available online at u.co.uk and via the U app on mobile devices and tablets, as well as on smart TVs and streaming platforms including Freeview Play, Freely, Amazon Fire TV, YouView, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Freesat, Sky Glass, Sky Stream, NOW and Roku. Thousands of hours of selected U content are also available on Channel 4's streaming service.
U provides access to over 9,000 hours of programming, including exclusive original commissions, UK premieres and iconic BBC titles across drama, comedy, entertainment and factual entertainment. It was nominated for Best Streaming Service at the 2025 Edinburgh Television Festival Awards.
Programmes available on U include Bergerac, Whitstable Pearl, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Marlow Murder Club, Outrageous, The Bill, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Guy Martin: Proper Jobs,
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The six-part series is a co-commission with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television and produced by Fable Pictures, in association with Alfresco Pictures
