Angela Griffin, Don Gilet and Ben Bailey Smith

The British Blacklist reports that Angela Griffin, Don Gilet and Ben Bailey Smith will star in a new six-part ITV drama titled, Brief Encounters.

Set in the early ‘80s, the six-part series introduces Steph, Pauline, Nita and Dawn as unlikely entrepreneurs who begin to sell exotic lingerie – to the dismay (and often delight) of their loved ones.

Mother of four, Nita (Angela Griffin) is a mix of grit and warmth, struggling to run a household with a husband (Don Gilet) whom she adores but who frequently strays to the wrong side of the law, despite his devotion to his family.

Steph (Sophie Rundle) is an invisible girl until Ann Summers comes into her life. It ignites the ambition she didn’t know she had and grows her confidence. Married to Terry and with a young son, Steph strives to make something extra of her life. Her chance meeting with Nita in the school playground kick starts a sequence of events that will change both of their lives.

Pauline (Penelope Wilton) is the oldest of the gang, in her 50s, who jumps in at the deep end and agrees to host a party for Steph to salve her loneliness. Pauline‘s sunny disposition hides a secret sadness. She and her husband, Alan deeply love each other but their relationship has suffered whilst he’s concentrated on building his business. It’s through Ann Summers that Pauline steps out from the shadows.

Young Dawn (Sharon Rooney) has a lust for life, and although bubbly and outgoing, since her mother died she has been trapped, looking after her father and three brothers who all take her for granted. The bug of earning serious cash with the other women gives her the incentive to finally realise her dreams with fiancé, Russell.

The series is inspired by chapters telling the story of the early days of the Ann Summers party plan business found in ‘Good Vibrations’, Jacqueline Gold’s memoir.

Brief Encounters has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Steve November and Head of Drama Series Jane Hudson.

Congratulations to Angela (TV executives favourite “woman of colour” to cast), Don and Ben. However out of all the male characters, why does Don’s character have to be the CRIMINAL? 😎

This is partly the reason why so many black British actors are packing up their belongings and moving across the pond.