Channel 4 Orders Russell T. Davies 1980s AIDS Drama ‘The Boys’
Russell T. Davies passion project is finally coming to the small screen. Channel 4 has ordered The Boys, a five episode drama series from the former Doctor Who showrunner which explores the story of the 1980s, the story of AIDS, and the story of three boys, Ritchie, Roscoe and Colin, across the decade. “I lived through those times, and it’s taken me decades to build up to this. And as time marches on, there’s a danger the story will be forgotten", said Russell T. Davies. "So it’s an honour to write this for the ones we lost, and the ones who survived.” 
BBC One has greenlit Scarborough, a new comedy series from Benidorm creator Derren Litten; and handed out a pilot order to 'king Gary, a "working-class" sitcom from the team behind Murder In Successville. Both shows were announced today by the BBC's Director of Content Charlotte Moore at the Edinburgh TV Festival. 
Another renewal from Channel 4. They've picked up their late night format The Big Narstie Show - which was only picked up to series back in May - for a second season. In addition to the second season, C4 has also commissioned a Christmas Special for later this year. 
Mark Strong (Low Winter Sun) has been set as the lead in Sky One eight episode comic thriller Temple, which is set in the secret world beneath London. Carice van Houten, (Game of Thrones) and Daniel Mays (Line of Duty) have also been cast in the series. In Temple, deep below the streets of London, descending past Temple tube in the beating heart of the city, lies a dark secret. An illegal clinic has been set up in an abandoned subterranean network of tunnels. They treat a variety of increasingly desperate and highly dangerous patients. 
Channel 4 comedy series Lee & Dean has been picked up for a second season. The PSB has ordered six episodes for season two, which is set to air in 2019. “We’re thrilled to be diving back into the lives of Lee and Dean. Making the first series was a dream come true, and being given another is truly amazing", series creators and stars Mark O’Sullivan and Miles Chapman said in a statement. "We can’t wait to continue the story – we promise there’ll be plenty of twists and surprises. And bark rubbing, of course.” 
ITV's William Makepeace Thackeray adaptation Vanity Fair will premiere on Sunday September 2nd at 9pm, it has been announced. The second episode will then air on Monday September 3rd at 9pm, before the show settles into its regular Sunday night 9pm time-slot. 
A documentary about 17 year old racing driver Billy Monger and a UK adaptation of Lifetime's format The Rap Game were among the commissions announced today by BBC Three Controller Damian Kavanagh at his Meet The Controller session at the Edinburgh TV Festival. 
Channel 4 is adding a grime show to their line-up. The PSB has handed out a three episode series order to It's Grime Up North, which explores the lives and exploits of a group of passionate young MCs on the Blackpool grime scene. The series will follow artists like Little T (aka Josh Tate), Sophie Aspin and Millie B as they approach significant crossroads in their lives. With milestone moments looming, these three especially have to decide whether and how to capitalise on the fame they’ve gained through the controversial practice of “sends” for one another, their explicit videos which have attracted anywhere between two and ten million views online.