In 1932, when Aldous Huxley published his novel Brave New World, the idea of a future ruled by technology and where emotions are taboo offered a disturbing vision. Now, those same issues are set to chill us all over again in Sky One’s powerful nine-part adaptation of the iconic book.
The series is set in the city of New London, a seemingly peaceful society where sexual freedom is encouraged, but loving, monogamous relationships are strictly forbidden. Meanwhile, every citizen is graded into a particular class and moods are controlled by pills called soma.
Lab worker Lenina Crowne (Downton Abbey and Harlots’ Jessica Brown Findlay) is from the middle-ranking Beta class, but a connection soon develops between her and counsellor Bernard Marx (Game of Thrones’ Harry Lloyd), a superior Alpha, as they both start to question life in New London.
The pair’s eyes are opened when they visit the dangerous, poverty-stricken Savage Lands, where an underclass live without the same restrictions, and which has been turned into a theme park for New Londoners to marvel at.
Among those living in the Savage Lands are troubled John (Alden Ehrenreich) and his mother Linda, played by Hollywood star Demi Moore. But when John returns with Lenina and Bernard to New London, there are shocking consequences…
We caught up with Lloyd, 36, and Brown Findlay, 31, to find out more...
How would you describe the setting of New London?
Lloyd There is no family, no privacy, no monogamy, but everyone is very ‘happy’. However, with the introduction of John, this society is tested by real emotions.
This story is from the September 26, 2020 edition of TV & Satellite Week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 26, 2020 edition of TV & Satellite Week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IN THE LAND OF Saints & Sinners
Liam Neeson leads a superb cast as a repentent hitman in this strong Irish drama
Documentaries
With a life full of creative highs, drug excess and a sudden disappearance from public life, few rock stars have captured the imagination like original Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett.
Breakfast club
Jerry Seinfeld stars in a comedy about the invention of Pop-Tarts
Road to ruin
Move over, Logan Roy! If you enjoyed the cut-throat business dealings and larger-than-life characters in hit series Succession, you won't want to miss this adaptation of Tom Wolfe's 1998 novel A Man in Full.
High command
Can Lesley Sharp's MI5 chief come to the aid of Flight 357?
Port in a storm
The Aberdeen cops investigate a death on a cargo ship
Keys to success
Claudia Winkleman, Lang Lang and Mika are on the hunt for more amateur pianists as the talent show returns
Hearts of courage
A powerful drama explores a true-life romance set against a backdrop of unspeakable horror
CLOAK & DAGGER
A dogged lawyer investigates murder at a monastery in a gripping Tudor mystery
Reef encounters
Liz Bonnin an and Steve Backshall on the race to save the planet's precious Coral reefs