BritBox has released the first images from The Cadburys, an upcoming six-episode historical drama exploring the family behind one of the world’s best-known chocolate brands and the early business challenges that shaped the Cadbury confectionery company.
Inspired by Deborah Cadbury’s book Chocolate Wars, the series is set in Birmingham, England, during the 1860s and follows siblings Richard, George and Maria Cadbury. Filming recently concluded in Birmingham, with the series scheduled to stream on BritBox in 2027.
Toby Regbo stars as Richard Cadbury, Harry Gilby plays George Cadbury and Jessica Barden portrays their sister Maria.
‘The Cadburys’ Explores the Family Behind the Chocolate Business
Previously announced under the working title Chocolate Wars, the drama takes place at a time when chocolate in its modern form had yet to become an established consumer product.
Richard and George unexpectedly find themselves responsible for their family’s struggling cocoa business. The brothers pursue new ideas and production methods in an effort to transform the company into a successful confectionery enterprise, while dealing with disagreements and the pressures of running the family operation.
The newly released images offer an early look at George’s efforts to develop solid eating cocoa, along with several of the personal relationships that will shape the story.
One storyline follows the romance between Richard Cadbury and Elizabeth Adlington, portrayed by Poppy Gilbert. Another centres on Maria Cadbury’s relationship with Francis Fry, played by Ben Hardy.
Cadbury-Fry Rivalry Adds Personal Conflict
Maria’s relationship with Fry creates a conflict between family and personal loyalty because he is connected to one of Cadbury’s major commercial rivals.
The drama uses those relationships to explore both the family’s internal dynamics and the competitive environment surrounding Britain’s emerging chocolate industry.
Other characters revealed in the first-look material include John Cadbury, portrayed by Pearce Quigley, and Elizabeth’s mother Dorothy, played by Joanna Scanlan.
Mathew Baynton portrays Joseph Rowntree, another prominent figure associated with Britain’s historic confectionery industry.
The previously announced supporting cast includes Felicity Montagu as Mary Brown, Adam Hashmi as William Singh, Oli Green as Howard Lloyd and Alexander Butler as Frank Sheldon.
Leah Swain-Heath joins the series as Mabel Froggatt, with Maisie Britton portraying Aoife Fitzpatrick and Emma Montrochet playing Winnie Smith.
BritBox and UKTV Back Six-Episode Production
The Cadburys is a BritBox in North America commission with UKTV and is produced by Fable Pictures in association with Alfresco Pictures.
Chloë Mi Lin Ewart, whose credits include Curfew, All Creatures Great and Small and Beyond Paradise, leads the writing team. Eve Hedderwick Turner and Karim Khan are also writers on the series.
Executive producers include Faye Ward, Freddie Highmore, Hannah Price and Claire Londy. Jon Farrar and Jess O’Riordan serve as executive producers for BritBox, while Helen Perry represents UKTV.
Production Draws on Birmingham Setting
Tom McKay, whose credits include After the Flood, Ten Pound Poms and There She Goes, is directing alongside Jill Robertson, whose previous work includes The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Ludwig and Dalgleish.
Hannah Farrell, co-creative director at Fable Pictures, serves as series producer, while Jo Farrugia is casting director.
The Birmingham production has also received regional support through the ERDF-funded West Midlands Production Fund via Creative UK.
Sony Pictures Television to Handle Global Sales
Sony Pictures Television will serve as international distributor and handle worldwide sales for the series, extending the project’s commercial reach beyond its BritBox and UKTV markets.
For BritBox, the production adds another period drama to its programming slate while using a globally recognized British consumer brand as the foundation for a family and business story.
Rather than focusing solely on the finished chocolate products that would eventually make the Cadbury name internationally recognizable, the series is positioned around the uncertainty of the company’s earlier years, when the siblings were trying to establish the family business amid commercial competition and changing consumer tastes.
With filming now completed, The Cadburys is moving toward its planned 2027 BritBox debut. A specific premiere date has not yet been announced.
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