Darren Connolly

A gangster family epic set in 1919 Birmingham, England and centered on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby, who means to move up in the world.

Keeping these streets clean is a Herculean task, enough to demoralize even the keenest rookie – but there’s a reason why this hotchpotch of committed cops are on this force, on this side of town. Drug labs, arsonists, neo-Nazis and notorious murderers are all in a day’s work for this close-knit team, led by the dizzyingly capable but unquestionably unhinged DI Vivienne Deering. But when a particularly twisted serial killer emerges it leaves even the most hardened of these seasoned coppers reeling.

In February 2008, nine-year-old Shannon Matthews is reported missing. A frantic search quickly becomes a murder inquiry. Led by Julie Bushby, the community rallies around Shannon's grief-stricken mother Karen, determined to find her daughter and show that, although she's from a poor background, Shannon's life is as important as any other. As hope fades and doubts about Karen arise, Shannon is found — with a man her mother knows. Who is this man, and what is his connection to Karen?

Hector has been living on the motorways for years. His once comfortable family life has been replaced by a never-ending tour of service stations that offer him shelter, anonymity, washing facilities and food. The story follows his journey south from Scotland on his annual pilgrimage to a temporary Christmas shelter in London where he finds comfort, friendship and warmth. Over the course of his Homeric journey, Hector decides to reconnect with his long estranged past. As his previous life catches up with him, the story of how he came to be leading a marginal life begins to emerge.

Set amidst the backdrop of the iconic Manchester skyline, Danny, fresh out of prison into the tough reality of supported housing and dealing with the mental health issues that have shaped him. Whilst he attempts to get his life back on track a chance encounter with past love Laura shines a light in the dark – but will this hint of romance offer a shot at redemption or lead him on a path to tragedy?