Indie reunites with Becoming Elizabeth writer Anya Reiss

A Woman of Substance indie The Forge is to produce a legal drama for BBC1.

The 6 x 60-minute Reputation will be written by Anya Reiss, who penned The Forge’s 2022 Starz period drama Becoming Elizabeth.

The series will follow lawyer Elaine as she is pulled into the case of the decade, representing popstar Davina who accuses her ex-husband of abusive behaviour. The dispute spirals beyond the courtroom, with social media platforms becoming judge and jury, putting Elaine and Davina’s personal lives and reputations at risk.

Reiss said: “When I found out London was the global capital of high stakes libel cases – where the rich, powerful and famous come to fight in public for their reputations – I was in.

“I’ve loved writing this world and now I’m excited to get it off the page and onto the screen.”

The series was ordered by BBC drama director Lindsay Salt. The exec producers are George Ormond, Jade Taylor (Just Act Normal), Reiss and Mahalia Belo. Alex Kazamia (Generation Z) will produce with Belo (The End We Start From, The Long Song) as director. Other writers on the series are Shyam Popat and Karla Crome.

The Forge’s joint managing director Ormond said: “We are so excited to be working with Anya again – her scripts are sharp, badly behaved, very funny and totally addictive.”

Salt added: “Reputation is high-stakes, intoxicating and hugely entertaining, with a lot to say about the world.

“In Elaine and Davina the brilliant Anya Reiss has created two lead characters for the ages, and we’re delighted to be working with her, Mahalia and the team at The Forge to bring this very public battle to BBC iPlayer and BBC1.”

Banijay UK-owned The Forge is also behind BBC3 comedy drama Just Act Normal and upcoming Channel 4 romance Falling.

Reputation will be distributed by Banijay Rights.