Before Ben Wheatley became known for his eclectic filmography of interesting feature films, the British director was probably best known for his work on the small screen. Well, in a new partnership with BBC, Wheatley is returning to TV in a pretty big way. The filmmaker’s latest film “Happy New Year, Colin Burstead” will be released directly to TV screens in the UK later this year, and after that, there may be plans for a new TV series.
According to the BBC, Wheatley has agreed to release his latest film on BBC Two during the Christmas holidays after ‘Colin Burstead’ debuts at this year’s BFI London Film Festival. The film follows the titular character as he invites his extended family to a lavish country manor to celebrate the new year. However, this goes awry when his position of power in the family is under threat by the arrival of his estranged brother David. The film is said to explore political and societal issues that are affecting the UK and its place in the world.
In addition to the film premiering on TV screens mere weeks after its world premiere at LFF, characters from ‘Colin Burstead’ are also being developed by Wheatley for an extended TV series to air at a future date. While no one has seen the film yet, it is apparent that the BBC has high hopes for the comedy-drama.
“It was an amazing experience making the film with such a talented cast and crew and we are extremely pleased to be able to release the film in a way that makes sense of a very complicated releasing landscape – the BBC is the perfect home for Ben’s state of the nation drama,” says ‘Colin Burstead’ producer Andy Starke.
Head of BBC films, Rose Garnett, agrees, saying, “When Andy and Ben showed ‘Happy New Year, Colin Burstead’ to me and Shane Allen (Controller of BBC Comedy) we both fell for it. Funny, acute and very human, it’s a film about families at their worst and best, and a perfect bit of alternative Christmas television. We love that it’s home is the BBC.”
‘Colin Burstead’ stars Neil Maskell as the main character, joining actors Richard Glover, Peter Ferdinando, Mark Monero, Sam Riley, Asim Chaudhry, Joe Cole, Charles Dance, Alexandra Maria Lara, Doon Mackichan, Sinead Matthews, Bill Paterson, and Hayley Squires.
As for those that don’t live in the UK, the global rights to the film are being sold at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Here’s the latest poster for the film:
