Six-Part Series Inspired by Deborah Cadbury’s Chocolate Wars Starts Filming in Birmingham
BritBox has announced the cast and commencement of production for The Cadburys, a new six-part period drama inspired by Deborah Cadbury’s acclaimed book Chocolate Wars. Filming is now underway in Birmingham, bringing to life the story of the family behind one of Britain’s most recognisable confectionery brands.
Previously developed under the working title Chocolate Wars, the drama explores the origins of the Cadbury business during the 19th century and the family relationships that helped shape its rise from a struggling cocoa enterprise into a global chocolate powerhouse.
Leading the cast are Harry Gilby (Boarders, The Last Kingdom) as George Cadbury, Toby Regbo (Outrageous, A Woman of Substance) as Richard Cadbury, and Jessica Barden (Dune: Prophecy, You & Me) as Maria Cadbury. They are joined by Pearce Quigley (Small Prophets, The Gentlemen) as company founder John Cadbury, Ben Hardy (The Conjuring: Last Rites, Unicorns) as Francis Fry, Joanna Scanlan (Riot Women, Missed Call), and Poppy Gilbert (The Other Bennett Sister, My Oxford Year) as Elizabeth Adlington.
Story Focuses on the Family Behind a British Icon
Set in Birmingham during the 1860s, The Cadburys follows brothers Richard and George Cadbury as they take responsibility for their family’s failing cocoa business at a time when modern chocolate had yet to be created.
According to the programme synopsis, the brothers possess both the ambition and innovation required to transform the company into one of the world’s best-known confectionery brands. However, their success depends on overcoming personal differences and learning to work together.
The series also explores the role of their sister Maria, who is seeking her place within both the family and the business. Her life becomes increasingly complicated when she falls in love with Francis Fry, a member of a rival chocolate-making family, forcing her to confront questions of loyalty and identity.
Combining historical drama with elements of imagination and family storytelling, the series examines themes of ambition, rivalry, resilience and the complexities of family relationships.
Experienced Supporting Cast Joins Production
The production has assembled a substantial supporting cast, including Felicity Montagu (Beyond Paradise, I’m Alan Partridge) as Mary Brown and Mathew Baynton (Ghosts, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder) as Joseph Rowntree, another prominent figure in Britain’s confectionery history.
Additional cast members include Adam Hashmi (Joseph of Egypt, Bridgerton) as William Singh, Oli Green (The Gray House, Lift) as Howard Lloyd and Alexander Butler (Fackham Hall, Piglet) as Frank Sheldon.
The series will also introduce several emerging performers, with Leah Swain-Heath cast as Mabel Froggatt, Maisie Britton as Aoife Fitzpatrick and Emma Montrochet as Winnie Smith.
Strong Creative Team Behind the Project
The Cadburys has been commissioned by UKTV and Sony Pictures Television and is being produced by Fable Pictures in association with Alfresco Pictures.
The drama has been created by writer Chloë Mi Lin Ewart, whose previous credits include Curfew, All Creatures Great and Small and Beyond Paradise. Ewart leads the writing team alongside Eve Hedderwick Turner and Karim Khan.
Direction will be shared by Tom McKay, known for After the Flood, Ten Pound Poms and There She Goes, and Jill Robertson, whose recent work includes The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Ludwig and Dalgleish.
The executive production team includes Faye Ward, Freddie Highmore, Hannah Price and Claire Londy, with Helen Perry representing UKTV and Jess O’Riordan and Jon Farrar representing BritBox. Hannah Farrell, co-creative director at Fable Pictures, serves as series producer, while Jo Farrugia oversees casting.
Global Distribution Planned Through Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television will manage international distribution of the series, handling worldwide sales beyond the UK market. The production is also receiving regional support from Creative UK through the European Regional Development Fund-backed West Midlands Production Fund.
The start of filming marks a significant milestone for the project, which seeks to tell the story behind one of Britain’s most enduring consumer brands. With a cast featuring established television talent and a creative team experienced in period and family drama, The Cadburys aims to bring a fresh perspective to the origins of the famous chocolate-making dynasty while highlighting Birmingham’s industrial heritage and entrepreneurial history.