The BBC has released first look pictures for the brand-new comedy drama Just Act Normal, from award-winning writer Janice Okoh (Sanditon, Hetty Feather). The six-part series is based on Janice’s play Three Birds, winner of the prestigious Bruntwood Playwriting Prize, and is made for BBC iPlayer and BBC Three by The Forge Entertainment (The Buccaneers, Help, Ackley Bridge), a Banijay UK Company.

Just Act Normal is the first TV role for pictured newcomers and series leads Chenée Taylor (who plays Tiana), Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie (Tanika),and Akins Subair (Tionne) who star as three siblings hiding a terrible family secret.

The pictures also feature Romola Garai (Vigil, One Life) who plays dedicated, warm-hearted teacher Ms. Jenkins, Sam Buchanan (My Fault: London, Sherwood) as the funny and unexpectedly kind Dr Feelgood; and Ivanno Jeremiah (Halo, Lockwood & Co.) who plays the fun, laid-back father-of-three Leo. Jamelia features as the larger-than-life Fake Jackie, a stand in for their missing mum, while Jennifer Metcalfe (Hollyoaks) guest stars as Leo’s new partner Candy, and Talitha Wing (The Full Monty) plays Rome, an insta-model struggling with her own self-worth.

Set in Birmingham and filmed across the West Midlands, Just Act Normal is coming soon to the BBC. When their mum disappears, Tiana, Tionne, and Tanika fight to hide the truth from the outside world in order to stay together as a family. As Tiana struggles to keep their regular lives afloat, Tionne displaces his grief and Tanika tries to convince her teacher to adopt them, chaos erupts when their mum’s hapless drug dealer, Dr Feelgood, moves in.

The series is an irreverent portrait of black working-class teenage life. A coming-of-age story of sorts. The first times, the f*ck-ups, and the excruciating desire to be more grown up than you’re ready to be. It’s a celebration of black joy, of council estates, and corner shops. Of working-class living and working-class dreams. It is human and tender, with a thumping great heart.

Just Act Normal (6x45) was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and Fiona Campbell, Controller Youth Audience, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. The series is created and written by Janice Okoh and is directed by Nathaniel Martello-White (The Strays), who also serves as co-executive producer. The producer is Jade Taylor (Ackley Bridge, Becoming Elizabeth). Executive producers are George Ormond (Ackley Bridge, National Treasure) and George Faber (Shameless, Skins) for The Forge Entertainment (a Banijay UK company), Janice Okoh, and Danielle Scott-Haughton for the BBC. Just Act Normal will be distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.

Just Act Normal is coming soon to BBC iPlayer and BBC Three