15 years ago Russell T. Davies skyrocketed to the top of the pack of British TV writers with the hit Queer As Folk, which led to the likes of Bob & Rose, The Second Coming and overseeing the phenomenally successful re-emergence of Doctor Who. However we haven’t had much new from him for the past few years, largely because shortly after he went off to the US for an American co-production Torchwood mini-series, he returned to the UK due to the fact his partner was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
However it’s now been announced he’s coming back, and for the first time since Queer As Folk, gay life will be the main subject rather than just a subplot. Channel 4 has announced he’s returning with Cucumber and Banana – two new drama series exploring the passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life. Alongside that is Tofu, a factual web series that is an anarchic online guide to sex, inspired by the dramas each week.
Cucumber follows 46 year old Henry and his long-suffering boyfriend Lance. Life for Henry and Lance is comfortable and settled. But after the most disastrous date night in history – involving a death, a threesome, two police cars and the Glee Christmas Album – Henry’s old life shatters, and his new life begins.
Banana meanwhile follows the lives of characters orbiting around Henry in Cucumber. From young lesbian Scotty’s first love, to 19 year old Dean’s mysterious family secrets, Banana covers 50 shades of gay, and beyond.
Both series will have eight episodes, with Cucumber having 60-minute instalments, while Banana is a half-hour series. It’s been promised that ‘Cucumber and Banana will explore the heartbreak and joy of modern sex lives – from gay to straight, and anything in between.’
Tofu, meanwhile, extends the experience online with eight factual episodes navigating the landscape of 21st Century sex. Offering real people the chance to share their unique stories of sexual experiences, Tofu is set to be an anarchic and entertaining look at sex.
Russell T Davies comments, “I once read about a scientific institute which had studied the male erection. It divided the hard-on into four categories, from soft to hard. One, tofu. Two, peeled banana. Three, banana. And four, cucumber. Right there and then, I knew I had my drama. And it’s a joy to be back with Channel 4 and RED [who backed Queer As Folk], to tell these stories.”
The shows will air next year, but there’s no news on the cast as yet.
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