Matthew Rhys will star as Sir Harry Evans in a newly commissioned BBC fact-based drama about the former editor of The Sunday Times, which will be distributed globally by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.
Dragon Slayers is a six-parter produced by AC Chapter One and Universal International Studios for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Peter Bowker is writing the script about the iconic journalist, drawing from wide-ranging research, published accounts, and interviews with those who knew and worked with Evans.
“Telling the story of Harry Evans and the work of his Insight team is both a privilege and a joy,” Bowker said. “And having Matthew leading the cast is more than we could have hoped for. All of us are now united by a desire to honor the passion, doggedness, and humor of this remarkable group of people. I hope the drama will make us take a fresh look at both journalism and that much maligned decade—the 1970s.”
Patrick Spence, MD of AC Chapter One, added, “The generational impact of Harry and his magnificent team acts as a powerful reminder of how much democracy relies on a fearless press, and what would happen if they could no longer shed light where it is most needed.”
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, commented, “Dragon Slayers is a rollercoaster story, each episode gripping and powerful, written with Pete Bowker’s signature wit and sense of purpose. The investigative stories that were broken by Harry and his team carry as much power and purpose today as they did at the time. It’s a real coup that the wonderful Matthew Rhys will star as the iconic Harry Evans.”
