Baby Reindeer creator's follow-up Scottish drama gets major boost from US network

Richard Gadd, the creator of Baby Reindeer, has received a significant boost for his follow-up series from a major US network.

Following his unflinching exploration of stalking, abuse and sexuality, his next project, Lions, will now be co-produced by HBO.

The BBC had confirmed the project in February, months before Richard became an overnight sensation with the success of his seven-part drama.

It has since become one of Netflix's most-watched shows ever, and millions of fans are eagerly awaiting the Scottish comedian's next move.

Richard is now embarking on an even more ambitious project with his new drama spanning nearly 40 years from the 1980s to the present day.

According to a synopsis, Lions poses the question "What does it mean to be a man?" and follows two estranged brothers, Ruben and Niall, who reunite at one of their weddings.

"The series will cover the highs and lows of the brothers' relationship, from them meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults," the logline continues, according to Deadline.

"With all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. It will capture the wild energy of a changing city and a changing world."

Richard will both write and executive produce the show, with Alexandra Brodski (Somewhere Boy) and Eshref Reybrouck (Ferry: The Series) on board to direct.

In a statement, he expressed: "Ordering a HBO boxset of The Sopranos, The Wire, or Oz and watching it from start to finish were some of the happiest moments of my childhood.

"Since then, it has always been a dream of mine to work with HBO and be part of their iconic roster of shows."

"I am so grateful to Francesca Orsi, Kara Buckley and Clint LaVigne for taking this chance on the show and on Ruben and Niall too who despite growing up in a dead-end Scottish town would be absolutely pinching themselves at this. I cannot wait to get started."

Kara Buckley, SVP of HBO Drama Programming, chimed in with equal enthusiasm, stating, "We are tremendously excited to partner with the BBC and Richard Gadd, whose remarkable talent continues to make waves across the globe. With this new, gripping and evocative series, we are proud to welcome Richard to the HBO family."

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, also shared her excitement: "We are delighted that HBO are joining us to bring Richard Gadd's exquisite Lions scripts to the screen."

"This is bold, brilliant, one-of-a-kind storytelling and we can't wait for viewers to see it."

An AI tool was used to bring an extra layer to this story.