VIEW SCREEN
Christopher Eccleston (The A Word, The Leftovers) takes the role of Fagin and David Threlfall (Shameless, Housewife, 49) plays Chief of Police, Sir Charles Rowan, in Dodger, a new ten-part family adventure set to air next year on CBBC and BBC iPlayer.
Playing Dodger is Billy Jenkins (The Crown) with Saira Choudhry (Life, No Offence) as Nancy, with filming already underway in Manchester and various locations around the north west.
A funny, optimistic, fast-paced comedy drama full of jeopardy, Dodger is set before the events of Charles Dickens’ iconic novel, Oliver Twist. There are some familiar characters and a whole gallery of colourful, new ones. Each episode is a standalone adventure brought together at the end of the series with some dramatic reveals and surprises. Dodger follows the exploits of the infamous pickpocket, The Artful Dodger, and Fagin’s gang as they find ingenious ways to survive the grim and exploitative conditions of early Victorian London in the 1830s.
The group of young misfits is led by Dodger and his pickpocketing partner-in-crime, Charley Bates, a girl from the countryside with a mysterious past. Charley is played by newcomer Aabay Ali. They are joined by Polly (Ellie-May Sheridan), Tang (Mila Lieu) and Dodger’s adversary in the gang, Tom (Connor Curren). Together the orphans duck and dive their way through the criminal underworld, trying to make a better life for themselves, whilst satisfying Fagin’s pickpocketing demands and avoiding the hangman’s noose.
Other new drama series for youngsters announced by the BBC this week include sci-fi mystery Silverpoint, live-action Princess Mirror-Belle based on the best-selling books by
Julia Donaldson, and comedyadventure series Nova Jones.
Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône 2019, France (£8, Tesco)
This southern Rhône star – with its striking art nouveau label – is packed with the region’s black fruits, punctuated with spicy, peppery notes and fresh herbs with a delicious, fruit-driven finish. A really good foodie red, serve it with Toulouse-style sausages, burgers, baked potatoes and creamy coleslaw.
McGuigan Black Label Shiraz 2020, Australia (£6.75, Morrisons)
With a sunny Aussie personality, this easy drinking fruit bomb is big on berries and has a sun-drenched juiciness to complement the tenderness and marbling of your flat iron steak. Vivid plums and blackcurrant on the nose lead to a smooth parcel of spicy, sweet fruits (great with spicy dips) and a lovely soft finish.
Campo Viejo Winemakers’ Blend 2019, Spain (£8, Tesco)
A vibrant new release from Campo Viejo, this tempranillo based blend (there’s garnacha and bobal grapes in the mix) is succulent and loaded with the flavours of cherry, strawberry, plum and blueberry, with a fresh spicy finish that keeps you coming back for more. So much so, you may have to reign your taste buds in while turning the lamb kebabs, before diving in for another sip of sun-kissed fruit.
M&S Found Mazuelo Rioja 2019, Spain (£8.50, Marks & Spencer, in-store)
Part of a new M&S range which focuses on the ‘unexpected and undiscovered,’ don’t be surprised if its floral, perfumed notes and trail of black cherry, bright red fruits, wild herbs and hint of spice becomes your new favourite BBQ red. It’s a natural partner with charred meats and grilled veggies.