First Look at New Period Drama The Cadburys
Felicity Montagu, known for her role in Beyond Paradise, has been cast in a new six-part period drama titled The Cadburys, set to air on U and Original next year. The series, based in 1860s Birmingham, charts the story of the family behind the iconic confectionery empire. Freshly released photographs offer a tantalising glimpse of what lies in store.
Ben Hardy Portrays Rival Francis Fry
One of the images features actor Ben Hardy, who played Peter Beale in EastEnders in 2013, taking on the role of Francis Fry. Francis, the principal rival to the Cadbury business, is pictured sporting a black coat and bowler hat with his hand tucked in his pocket, cutting a distinctly suspicious figure. A further image captures him outside a shop, engaging with another gentleman who appears to be passing something to him, both men wearing grave expressions, reports Birmingham Live.
Ensemble Cast Announced
Ben is amongst a host of well-known names confirmed for the new production. Audiences will also see The Last Kingdom's Harry Gilby, A Woman of Substance actor Toby Regbo, and Dune: Prophecy's Jessica Barden. Further familiar faces include Pearce Quigley from The Gentlemen, Missed Call's Joanna Scanlan, and The Other Bennett Sisters' Poppy Gilbert.
Official Synopsis Revealed
The official synopsis for the show reads: "The Cadburys 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 the 1860s, Birmingham, when chocolate as we know it didn'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."
Additional Cast and Production Details
Joining the ensemble cast are Beyond Paradise favourite Felicity Montagu, Bridgerton's Adam Hashmi, and Ghosts' Mathew Baynton. The drama is a UKTV commission alongside BritBox and Sony Pictures Television, produced by Fable Pictures. It draws its inspiration from Deborah Cadbury's acclaimed book, Chocolate Wars. The Cadburys will stream on U in 2027.
