Russell returns with Cucumber and Banana

Creator of seminal hit ‘Queer As Folk’ creates two new original dramas and an online series for 2014

Fifteen years after Queer As Folk exploded on to the screen, award-winning writer Russell T Davies is back with Cucumber and Banana – two new drama series for Channel 4 and E4 exploring the passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life. Tofu, a factual web series, is an anarchic online guide to sex inspired by the dramas each week.

Cucumber - an 8 X 60’ series for Channel 4 - follows 46 year old Henry and his long-suffering boyfriend Lance. Life for Henry and Lance is comfortable and settled. But after the most disastrous date night in history - involving a death, a threesome, two police cars and the Glee Christmas Album - Henry's old life shatters, and his new life begins.

On E4, Banana (8 X 30’) follows the lives of characters orbiting around Henry in Cucumber. From young lesbian Scotty's first love, to 19 year old Dean's mysterious family secrets, Banana covers 50 shades of gay, and beyond.

With the same ferocious wit, startling honesty and heartfelt warmth that made Queer As Folk a landmark series, Cucumber and Banana will explore the heartbreak and joy of modern sex lives - from gay to straight, and anything in between.

Tofu, meanwhile, extends the experience online with eight factual episodes navigating the landscape of 21st Century sex in its own inimitable way. Offering real people the chance to share their unique stories of sexual experiences, Tofu is an anarchic and entertaining look at sex.

Russell T Davies says; "I once read about a scientific institute which had studied the male erection. It divided the hard-on into four categories, from soft to hard. One, tofu. Two, peeled banana. Three, banana. And four, cucumber. Right there and then, I knew I had my drama. And it's a joy to be back with Channel 4 and RED, to tell these stories."

Head of Drama, Piers Wenger says; “No one can look into the heart and soul of modern relationships quite like Russell and across Channel 4, E4 and online, he paints an unflinching and forensic portrait of how our sex lives affect us all. It might be fifteen years since Queer As Folk, but he has made it more than worth the wait."

Nicola Shindler, founder and executive producer, RED Production Company adds; “The opportunity to work with Russell again is completely thrilling and the chance to make a drama for Channel 4 that once again takes such a glorious, funny and perceptive look at this word is incredibly exciting. We want to make this a huge, impactful production and are looking forward to starting.”

Cucumber, Banana and Tofu were commissioned by Head of Drama Piers Wenger and will be made by RED Production Company with Executive Producers Nicola Shindler and Russell T Davies. Tofu will be made by Benjamin Cook. The series will begin filming in spring 2014 in Manchester for broadcast later in the year. Cucumber was originally developed by BBC Worldwide Productions. BBC Worldwide will distribute the drama internationally. Casting to be confirmed.

Published: 11-Feb-2014: (2231)