BBC Finds Its Adrian Mole In Oliver Savell, Who Plays Alan Carr For ITV

Oliver Savell, who has been twice BAFTA nominated for his role as a young Alan Carr in Changing Ends, is leading the BBC’s adaptation of Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.

The adaptation, which is being overseen by One Day author David Nicholls with writers including Caitlin Moran, comes nearly 30 years after the previous Townsend drama. First look has just dropped and the show will launch next year.

A nationwide search has taken place to find Savell, who will play the lead from the iconic book aboout an awkward teen in Margaret Thatcher-era Britain. The show starts in 1981 as Adrian begins his diary about family life and being a teenager before the advent of mobile phones and social media. With only a ballpoint pen as his guide, Adrian worries about his spots, his parents’ divorce, the torment of first love and the fact he’s never seen a female nipple.

Savell is joined by Lisa McGrillis (Rivals, Mum), who plays his mother Pauline, and Colin Hoult (After Life, Slow Horses), his father George. Pam Ferris (Matilda, Darling Buds of May) joins the cast as Grandma, Galaxie Clear (Extra Geography, Secret Service) is Pandora and Alun Armstrong (The Choral, Breeders) is Bert. Other cast also announced today include Jude Forsey as Nigel, Rory Keenan as Mr Lucas, David Wilmot as Mr Scruton and Karl Collins as Mr Cherry. 

Savell has twice been nominated for his role in ITV’s semi-autobiographical Changing Ends — including at the upcoming BAFTAs — which is about the early life of Carr and stars the Celebrity Traitors winner as himself.

The adaptation is being produced by Outlaws maker Big Talk Studios. Overseen by Nicholls, the starry writers room features Caitlin Moran, Caroline Moran, Dillon Mapletoft, Oliver Taylor and Jack Rooke.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ (9×30’) is a Big Talk Studios production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The series was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. The director is Alex Winckler (Somewhere Boy, Mary and George) and the producer is Charlotte Robinson (A Thousand Blows). The executive producers are Kenton Allen and Luke Alkin for Big Talk Studios, and Nicholls and Winckler. The estate of Sue Townsend is represented by Jane Villiers at Sayle Screen. Big Talk is part of ITV Studios. Filming is underway in and around Hartlepool and the series is due to air next year.