ANT McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the popular TV duo, have announced the revival of the beloved teen drama Byker Grove after 17 years off the air. The new series, titled Byker, is currently in development and will be produced by Fulwell 73 and Mitre Studios, set in and around the North East of England.
The reboot will introduce a new generation of teenagers facing the challenges of young adulthood, exploring both youth and adult storylines against the backdrop of Newcastle and the North East. McPartlin and Donnelly, who portrayed the fun-loving duo PJ and Duncan in the original series, will take on the roles of executive producers and creative consultants for the revival.
Expressing their enthusiasm for the project, McPartlin said, “We owe such a lot to Byker Grove and the North East so we can’t wait to start working with Fulwell 73 and the team to bring this iconic series back to life. Already talking characters and storylines has us all buzzing at the possibilities ahead. The original series was the starting point for a lot of North East talent so we’re excited to see what the new team will bring.” Donnelly added, “Byker Grove will always be very special to us as the show which gave us our break, so we are beyond excited to be working together with Fulwell 73 on bringing it back. We are looking forward to bringing this fresh incarnation to a whole new generation as well as those who remember it as fondly as we do. As proud Geordies, we’re looking forward to help shine a spotlight on the North East and the talent the region has to offer both in front of the camera and behind it.”
Joining McPartlin and Donnelly as executive producers will be Leo Pearlman and Heather Greenwood from Fulwell 73. Pearlman, co-founder and managing partner of Fulwell 73, expressed his pride in the collaboration, saying, “Working in collaboration is vital to the North East’s success. Partnering through our Sunderland office with Ant and Dec’s company Mitre Studios, an unlikely and yet dream team of Mackems and Geordies, to bring back a series starring and made by local people is something we’re incredibly proud of at Fulwell 73. We can’t wait to share Byker with new and old fans alike, showcasing the very best of our region to the world as part of our long-term commitment to a sustainable industry in the North East.”
The new series aims to provide sustainable training opportunities both on and off the camera, including a North East-focused writers’ room and work placements. Fulwell 73 and Mitre Studios will film across Newcastle and Sunderland, demonstrating their dedication to the region and their North East-based production offices.
McPartlin and Donnelly will also incorporate their Prince’s Trust Making It In Media course into the production, offering valuable experience to young people in the North East. Byker Grove, which became a British television staple during the 1990s and 2000s, played a significant role in launching the careers of Donna Air and Jill Halfpenny.
Fulwell 73, an Emmy-award-winning entertainment company, has an impressive track record, having produced shows such as “Friends: The Reunion,” “The Kardashians,” and the “Gavin and Stacey: Christmas Special.”
