Cast announced for BBC One's new coming-of-age drama 'The Dream Lands'

With newcomer Pascale Kann starring alongside the likes of Anna Friel, Connor Swindells, Katherine Parkinson and others.

Today, BBC One has announced the casting for Kayleigh Llewellyn's new coming-of-age drama The Dream Lands, which is based on Rosa Rankin-Gee's enthralling novel Dreamland as filming begins in Margate and Bristol.

The six-part coming-of-age drama is about young woman who discovers life and love, while being forced to fight for her family’s survival in a world that’s crumbling around her.

Set in a near future Margate, against a backdrop of soaring inequality, The Dream Lands tells the story of Chance, played by newcomer Pascale Kann, a fiercely loyal, intelligent, and hyper-vigilant 17-year-old who’s been forced to become her family’s protector from an early age in a world that never lets up.

It’s 2039 and temperatures are soaring, seas are rising, and the political climate is equally as menacing. Chance is living a life of crime just to get by, when her community is singled out for a government rejuvenation scheme, promising to bring her coastal town back to life. But when Chance falls in love with Franky, a girl with ties to the establishment, she and those closest to her begin to realise that all may not be as it seems.

The Dream Lands is described as a thrilling voyage of romantic awakening and self-discovery, a defiant community fighting back. Part conspiracy thriller and part relationship drama, the story blazes with the enduring power of love and hope, in a world spinning out of control.

Starring alongside Pascale Kann as Chance will be Anna Friel as Jas, Connor Swindells as Kole, Clara Rugaard as Franky, Katherine Parkinson as Antonia, Golda Rosheuvel as Iona, Jacob Greenway as JD, Tareq Al-Jeddal as Nye, Scarlett Rayner as Stevie, Ruby Bridle as Nugget and Raphael Sowole as Trevor.

Speaking about today's casting announcement, writer and executive producer Kayleigh Llewellyn, said "I’m completely awed by this stellar ensemble, all brought together under the expert eye of our casting director, Rachel Sheridan."

"We feel incredibly lucky to be working with a cast that blends new young talent, who I believe are the stars of tomorrow, and acclaimed actors, who will be delving into areas we’ve never seen them explore before… I’m thrilled to see this world being brought to life by such a phenomenal cast and our visionary directors, Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja."

To which the BBC's Director of Drama, Lindsay Salt, added "It's no surprise that Kayleigh's heartfelt and captivating scripts have attracted a cast of such an outstanding calibre, with exciting new talent acting alongside established names already loved by BBC viewers. I can't wait to see them bring The Dream Lands to life."

Made by SISTER,The Dream Lands will be produced by Jon Jennings, directed by Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja and executive produced by Naomi de Pear and Holly Pullinger for SISTER, Kayleigh Llewellyn, Lucy Forbes, author Rosa Rankin-Gee and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC.

The Dream Lands will air on BBC One