Molly Manning Walker Sets series ‘Major Players’ with A24, Channel 4
Molly Manny Walker, who made a big splash with her debut function ‘How to have sex’, goes to the small screen for her first drama series, ‘Major Players’.
The series is commissioned by Channel 4, with A24 producing.
Partly written by Walker and Yasmin Joseph (“a thousand strokes”) follows “big players” two girls on the edge of maturity and their mission to start a women’s football team. Inspired by Walker’s own experiences in high school, where the crowd of controller was more urgent than education, the series is described as a “Love letter to football and a funny and wild exploration of young people in London today, tackling topics from friendship to gender politics.”
Walker is also a co-founder of Babe City FC, a football team for women and non-bike people in London in the film industry-a club of more than 180 members.
“I can’t wait to bring ‘big players’ to life with this great team,” said Walker. “It is a coming of age, filled with first love, sadness and bicycle kicks in your local cage. I am excited to shed light on women’s football that I am a big fan and supporter from.”
“How to Have Sex” was developed by Film4 and won the UN Certain Devices Award at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 and the European Discovery – Prix Fipresci at the European Film Awards. The film also earned two Bafta nominations for excellent British film and excellent debut from a British writer, director or producer. Manning served as the Un discussed jury head at the recently closed edition of Cannes from Cannes.
“Molly is one of the most exciting new films that come from the UK in years, and it is a sensation to continue our journey with her on ‘Major Players’, alongside Yasmin Joseph and our friends on A24,” said Ollie Madden, director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama. “With its mix of humor, heart and fearless energy, it is precisely the kind of fresh stories that we have champion in Film4 and Channel 4 -drama.”
Casting details will be announced in due course.
