Lenny Henry joins us for a special moment for Midlands drama

Thursday (20 August) was a special moment for television drama in the Midlands as we welcomed home Dudley’s most famous son, Lenny Henry. We rolled out the red carpet at Dudley’s Showcase Cinema for Lenny to share his brilliant new BBC Drama from Red Production Company for BBC One Danny and the Human Zoo. It was incredible to see so many local supporters turn out and all sit down together – family, friends, fans, cast, crew and press – for a special first look at the programme.

As Director of BBC Birmingham, and a proud Midlander, I champion BBC programme-making outside London which reflects the people who live here. I couldn’t have anticipated a film to do this more perfectly than Danny and the Human Zoo does. Set in the Seventies it tells the story of a young black kid growing up in a Jamaican family in Dudley, who is hurled into the crazy world of showbusiness. Lenny’s script – a fictionalised account of his own youth - is directed by Destiny Ekaragh who is a wonderful talent full of energy, humour and passion. It's a beautiful script, which had our Dudley audience in raptures of laughter at times, and moved to tears at others. I’d like to say a special thank you to cast, crew, Nicola Shindler, and Caroline Hollick at Red Production Company and thanks to Juliet Charlesworth the producer and to Polly Hill from the BBC.

The programme’s lead Danny Fearon is played by local lad Kascion Franklin from Wednesbury who told the audience of how ‘awesome’ it was to be part of such a great drama right on his doorstep. I am proud that Danny and the Human Zoo is such a strong example of the BBC showcasing the Midlands and local talent on network TV. As Lenny himself told the audience after the screening on Thursday night: “There are so many stories about the Midlands to tell. It’s not just mine - there are loads of talented people from the area who never get chance to express themselves creatively and I hope that this is the beginning of a relationship with BBC Birmingham.”

Drama, has always been an important part of the DNA of the BBC in the Midlands. Our drama village in Selly Oak produces over 130 hours for BBC One every year, including BBC One’s Doctors; Father Brown, starring Mark Williams – a hit all over the world; and our latest commission – The Coroner. It’s a gateway for our talent to hone their skills, craft and creativity and a superb Midlands success story. Needless to say Danny and the Human Zoo is a must-watch so don’t miss it when it goes out on BBC One on Bank Holiday Monday (31 August).

Joe Godwin is Director, BBC Academy and BBC Birmingham

Danny and the Human Zoo will be on BBC One on Monday 31 August from 9.00-10.30pm