BBC drama that last aired TWO decades ago makes shock return to screen
MATTHEW MacFayden and Naomie Harris are reuniting for a brand new series of The Project more than two decades after the show ended.
The BBC drama The Project was a two-part special that aired in 2002.
The short-lived series follows the lives of a group of young Labour Party activists through their time together at university through their busy political careers.
Their journey begins at New Labour headquarters in Millbank before they find themselves behind-the-scenes at the heart of the government in Downing Street.
Though fictional, the series mirrored the rise of the Labour Party in the early 2000s.
But the story is told through the perspectives of Paul (Matthew Macfadyen) and Maggie (Naomie Harris), whose deep-rooted passion for politics is matched by their intense rivalry and passion for each other.
Working in the press office, it’s their job to expose the machinations behind the party’s transformation into the sharp, media-aware voice of professional, middle-England.
But as their respective stars begin to rise within New Labour, it’s not just their friendship that’s at risk but the very beliefs that inspired them to politics.
Paul joins the Labour Party as a press officer, then works his way through a series of behind-the-scenes jobs, first at Walworth Road, then at Millbank.
He then becomes a Special Adviser at No 10 following the 1997 election. He shares a house with journalist Irene (Paloma Baeza), carpenter Andy (Shaun Evans) and Maggie.
On moving to London, Maggie worked her way through a series of menial jobs for Labour before being elected as MP for her hometown in the 1997 election.
Speaking about the premise of the series in a BBC press release, director Peter Kosminsky explained: ‘’The Project is a fictional drama set within a factual framework, and provides an insight into New Labour’s political coup d’etat within the Labour Party, based on extensive research.’
‘’This film is about idealistic young people who want to help Labour get into power and ultimately, change things. It is a realistic portrayal of how we got to May 1, 1997 and what happened afterwards.
Since appearing in the drama, Matthew has gone on to have starring roles in popular series like Ripper Street and Succession, alongside a supporting role in the superhero blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine.
Naomie has also found success on the big screen playing Moneypenny in the James Bond franchise and Paula in the critically acclaimed drama Moonlight.
After 22 years, the former co-stars are reuniting, reprising their roles as Paul and Maggie as The Project returns to the BBC.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.
The upcoming drama will air in two parts consecutively on BBC Four on Sunday 15 September.
“It’s the first time The Project has been broadcast since 2002 or even seen. But it’s genuinely a piece that turns out to have extraordinarily relevant elements to the current situation,” Peter told the ipaper.
The Project premieres on Sunday 15 September at 10:20pm on BBC Four.