California Avenue on BBC One: Plot, release date and more for new Tom Burke and Erin Doherty drama
Simon Bland | 4:21pm Fri 20 Jun | Updated 4:24pm Fri 20 JunBig stars align for caravan park drama California Avenue – but what is the new BBC One series about, and when can we watch it?
California Avenue will take viewers back in time to 1970 to tell a tale dramatised by an impressive cast – including Erin Doherty, Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Tom Burke. It’s described as “a story brimming with humour and love”.
At the helm is Hugo Blick, who writes and directs. This multi-hyphenate actor, writer and director has carved out an impressive career in front and behind the camera. You’ll know him from 2000’s Marion and Geoff, 2018’s Black Earth Rising, and 2022’s The English.
For his latest work, Blick gathers well known names – including a fresh-from-Adolescence Erin Doherty – for a touching tale about a fractured family.
So far so good. If only we had some California Avenue plot details, filming news, and tips on when and how we can watch it. Oh wait, we do – keep scrolling to find the goods on this new BBC drama.
Erin Doherty, seen here in Adolescence, will star in California Avenue [Credit: Netflix]
California Avenue plot – what is BBC show about?
Hugo Blick writes and directs California Avenue. It takes place in the 1970s at a calm caravan park in the English countryside. Unfortunately, things don’t stay tranquil for long.
The show’s official log-line sheds more light on the California Avenue plot, saying: “Its peace is irrevocably disrupted by the arrival of Lela and her 11-year-old child, both on the run, looking for refuge in this hidden world.
“It is here that a fractured family will come together, ghosts and demons will firmly be put to rest and an unexpected love is forged.”
Surrounding Lela are her parents and a local man lacking a proper place in the world. According to the BBC, Blick’s latest will showcase the “luscious” English countryside via its rural setting.
Commenting on his new show, Blick says it was very much inspired by real experiences. He said: “Over the past few decades, whether through comedy, political dramas or even a Western, I’ve looked to explore what television fiction can be.
“California Avenue is an exploration of the people who inspired me to want to do this.”
Meanwhile, executive producer and Drama Republic co-founder Greg Brenman, added: “In California Avenue, Hugo has conjured a world of precious relationships and unexpected revelations, all delivered with a big, big heart and generous humour. If you ever needed reminding of Hugo’s incredible range as a storyteller, look no further.”
All our faves are in the cast of California Avenue [Credit: BBC]
Who is in the cast of BBC drama?
Plenty of recognisable names fill out the California Avenue cast.
At the centre of the story is single parent Lela, played by Adolescence and The Crown star Erin Doherty. The latter saw her play Royal sibling Princess Anne in the show’s third and fourth series. Meanwhile, the former put her in the shoes of a child therapist.
Lela arrives at a secluded caravan park with her young daughter. With ghosts of a mysterious past hot on their heels, the pair quickly upend the peace at their new adoptive home.
Bill Nighy and Helena Bonham-Carter play Lela’s parents Jerry and Eddie. This duo need no formal introduction but we’ll give them one anyway. Nighy’s career highlights include turns in Shaun of the Dead and Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Meanwhile, Bonham-Carter has starred in films and TV from Fight Club, to Oscar winner The King’s Speech with Colin Firth.
Elsewhere, California Avenue welcomes Strike actor Tom Burke as a character named Cooper. He’s described as a “showman outcast”.
Burke also played Orson Welles in David Fincher’s 2020 Netflix film Mank. Most recently, he portrayed baddie Praetorian Jack in the 2024 film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
That’s it for now, but we expect new cast members to be announced soon.
Helena Bonham Carter, seen here in Lifeline: Canine Partners, also joins the cast of the BBC drama [Credit: BBC Studios]
How many episodes will California Avenue on BBC One be?
California Avenue will consist of six episodes. Each instalment will be one hour long. We’re definitely seeing this in the prime 9pm Sunday night slot. So watch this space.
Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama at the BBC, said: “Hugo Blick has given us some of the finest television of the past three decades and it’s an honour to join forces with him alongside Bill, Helena, Erin, Tom and Drama Republic to take BBC viewers on the journey of a lifetime to 1970s California Avenue.”
Where can I watch it? When’s the start date?
The Beeb has not yet released a start date for the drama, but we’re expecting it to land in 2026. California Avenue will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
Filming begins in summer 2025 in and around Hertfordshire.
With production only just begun and new stars yet to join its cast, audiences may have a long wait ahead of them before they can dive into Blick’s restorative new BBC drama.
