Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has announced the commission of single drama, We'll Take Manhattan, which explores the explosive love affair between photographer David Bailey and sixties supermodel Jean Shrimpton.

Focusing on a wild and unpredictable 1962 Vogue photo shoot in New York, the drama brings to life the story of two young people falling in love, misbehaving, and inadvertently defining the style of the Sixties along the way.

Karen Gillan will play Jean Shrimpton, in her first lead role since starring alongside Matt Smith as Amy Pond in Doctor Who. The drama is produced by Kudos Film and Television for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four.

Karen said: "Jean Shrimpton is an icon of the Sixties and I am so excited to be playing somebody who had such a lasting impact on the fashion world. I can't wait to take on the challenge of bringing Jean and Bailey's fascinating love story to life. Sixties here I come!

Richard Klein, Controller Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four, says: "The story of David Bailey and Jean Shrimpton is classic territory for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four – a moment in time, a fusion of talents, that had a huge impact on cultural life. It is a drama that is all about being alive and taking a chance, being young and kicking down the statues, and yet it is also a beautiful love story. And if you want to know why our world looks like it does, then this is the drama that tells you."

Set predominantly in 1962, but also exploring the story of how Bailey and Shrimpton first met, this one-off drama reveals how a young, visionary photographer refused to conform. He insisted on using the unconventional model Jean Shrimpton on an important photo shoot for British Vogue and, over the course of a freezing week in Manhattan, threw out the rule book and made startling, original photographs.

We'll Take Manhattan is the story of that wild week, of Bailey and Jean's love affair, and of how two young people accidentally changed the world forever.

About the drama, Claire Parker of Kudos Film and Television, says: "In Jean, Bailey found someone that he and his camera fell in love with. We'll Take Manhattan captures the essence of their dynamic affair and how they unwittingly changed the face of a decade. This is a really exciting opportunity to tell an intimate love story that plays out against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of huge social and cultural change. We're delighted to have the opportunity to make another film for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four and are thrilled to have Karen Gillan on board as Jean."

Filming starts in May and We'll Take Manhattan is written and directed by John McKay and produced by Rebecca Hodgson. The executive producers are Claire Parker, John McKay and Ruth Kenley-Letts for Kudos Film and Television and Lucy Richer for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. It was commissioned by Richard Klein, Controller, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four and Ben Stephenson, Controller, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Drama. The film is co-financed by Ovation Channel in the US.

We'll Take Manhattan has been announced today as part of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four's new Spring/Summer 2011 season of programmes.

PPR