BBC Acquires Groundbreaking Drama Series ‘Families Like Ours’
The BBC has secured the rights to Families Like Ours, a compelling new drama from acclaimed Oscar-winning director Thomas Vinterberg, known for his previous work on Another Round.
A Dystopian Vision of the Future
Premiering at the prestigious Venice Film Festival last year, this seven-part series delves into a future where Denmark faces devastating challenges due to rising sea levels. As the country grapples with an environmental crisis, all six million residents find themselves forcibly displaced, navigating the complex realities of becoming refugees in an unpredictable world. The series poignantly traces the individual journeys of several families as they seek refuge and fight for survival beyond their homeland.
Exploring Human Stories Amidst Global Crises
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Vinterberg emphasized his approach of steering clear of typical disaster film tropes. Instead, he aims to center on the intricate human emotions tied to climate change and mass displacement, labeling his work “a dystopia in slow motion.” This nuanced storytelling strives to shed light on the deeply personal impact of such crises.
Inspiration Behind the Series
The director shared that the inception of Families Like Ours arose from witnessing the ongoing plight of Syrian refugees and their reception in Europe amid turmoil. This reflection inspired him to consider a powerful question: “What would happen if we were the refugees, if we had to bid farewell to everything we cherish?”
Production Details and Cast
The BBC acquired Families Like Ours for broadcast on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer through a partnership with Studiocanal, which also oversees international sales for the series. Commenting on the acquisition, Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, praised the show as “a beautifully constructed, thought-provoking drama that examines the unfathomable choices faced by individuals when confronted with extraordinary circumstances.”
Co-written by Vinterberg and Bo Hr. Hansen (notable for Department Q: Journal 64), the series features a talented ensemble, including Amaryllis August, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Thomas Bo Larsen, David Dencik, and Paprika Steen. Filming locations spanned across Denmark, Sweden, France, Romania, and the Czech Republic, with production handled by Zentropa Entertainments for TV 2 Denmark, Studiocanal, and Canal+.
As the world grapples with climate-related issues, Families Like Ours promises not only to entertain but also to provoke essential conversations surrounding migration and the struggles of displaced families.