California Avenue: BBC unveils first look at Tom Burke and Erin Doherty's star-studded new drama
The new drama is set at a canal-side caravan park
California Avenue, a ’70s period drama featuring stars of Strike, Unforgotten, and a cast of beloved actors, is coming to BBC One soon.
The new BBC drama boasts 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 has gathered well-known names 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.
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.”
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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.”
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 The King’s Speech with Colin Firth.
Elsewhere, California Avenue welcomes Strike actor Tom Burke (who’ll also star in Netflix’s Legends next month) 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.
Three new stars have also been announced: Kate Robbins (After Life, Unforgotten), Paul Kaye (Small Prophets, Shardlake), and newcomer Cammie Liebreich.
How many episodes will there be in California Avenue?
California Avenue will consist of six episodes. Each instalment will be one hour long.
While unconfirmed, it’s a likely candidate for the 9pm Sunday night slot on BBC One.
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.”
When is California Avenue out and how can I watch it?
California Avenue will air on BBC One and iPlayer at some point in 2026, but we don’t have an exact release date yet.
Filming took place in summer 2025 in and around Hertfordshire.
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