David Tennant is to star in Learners, a BBC Films production for BBC One, which is written by, and will also star Jessica Hynes (nee Stevenson).
This warm, bitter–sweet comedy drama, follows the trials and tribulations of a group of learner drivers.
Bev (Jessica Hynes, Spaced) is a downtrodden wife who's failed her driving test eight times. She's desperate to pass yet frustrated at her husband Ian's (Shaun Dingwall, Doctor Who) impatient approach when teaching her to drive.
When Bev meets glamorous driving school owner Fiona (Sarah Hadland, Confetti), she's determined to succeed, along with a group of other learner drivers.
Chris (David Tennant, Doctor Who), a devout Christian with the patience of a saint, is assigned as her instructor and it's not long before Bev develops a crush on him. However, Chris has feelings for Fiona, but she's having an affair with a married man Gerry, who works with Bev.
Jessica comments: "It took me ten years to pass my test – this year I finally did it so I could do the film! I had a great instructor, he taught me to take my time and relax, when I passed I cried with joy!"
Producer Ruth Caleb, Director Francesca Joseph, Jessica Hynes, Shaun Dingwall (Pete Tyler?) and Executive Producer David Thompson are reunited on Learners following their collaboration on Tomorrow La Scala, which scooped the award for best drama at the 2003 Indie Awards.
Jessica also received RTS, Bafta and Lawrence Olivier Award nominations for Best Actress.
Learners will start filming in April 2007 on location in Hertfordshire and will transmit later this year.
The Executive Producer is David Thompson, the Producers are Ruth Caleb (Born Equal, Bullet Boy) and Luke Alkin (Dirty War, The Allotment), and the Director is Francesca Joseph (Tomorrow La Scala!, Four Last Songs). Learners was commissioned by Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC Fiction for BBC One.