Series will depict adventures of three women as they board ship from Jamaica heading for new life in Britain

British television station ITV is to air a new drama series, penned by acclaimed British comedian and actor Sir Lenny Henry, on Jamaican migrants to Britain.

The drama series was inspired by the stories told by Sir Lenny’s mother about leaving Jamaica for the United Kingdom in the 1950s. The 62-year-old Sir Lenny, who is known for co-founding the charity Comic Relief, reported that the drama series “will be a tribute to the giants who came before us and walked cold streets to create new lives for themselves”.

The fictional series, titled ‘Three Little Birds’, follows the adventures of gregarious sisters and a Bible-loving acquaintance, as they board a ship from Jamaica heading for a new life in Britain.

The drama will depict what Sir Lenny’s mother often spoke about: how difficult life was back in the day when she first arrived in Britain to begin her new life. He said his mother’s narrative will run throughout the drama series expressing the hope that the stories of other post Windrush arrivals will trigger memories, smiles and tears.

Sir Lenny explained about how he was inspired to write the drama series. “The stories [my mother] told, and indeed the narratives my brothers and sisters beguiled me with, over the dinner table made me think about writing a fictional account of three Caribbean women,” the noted singer, actor, stand-up comedian told the British media.

He argued that the Jamaicans travelling to Britain at that time all sought one thing in mind, which was to get a new life.

ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, was ecstatic at the idea of airing the drama. According to her, “I fell in love with (characters) Leah, Chantrelle and Hosanna the moment I read Lenny’s script and I think the audience will want to go on their journey with them. Lenny has written a funny and moving, but most of all life-affirming, drama that is a tribute to his mother and all those who came to Britain and made it their home.”

ITV scriptwriter Russell T Davies will work alongside Sir Lenny as an executive producer on the drama series.