Writer’s debut novel on gang culture set to become screen drama
A writer's debut novel on Scottish gang culture, which was based on his own experiences of growing up in Lanarkshire, is set to be turned into a major new screen drama.
Glasgow-based producers Synchronicityfilms,whomade the BBC psychological thriller The Cry with Jenna Coleman, have bought the rights to The Young Team by Lanarkshireborn author Graeme Armstrong.
His writing has been compared to Irvine Welsh and Alan Warnersincethebookwaspublished just over a year ago.
The planned series will chart three years in the life of main character Azzy Williams as he navigates Scottish masculinity, gang violence, substance abuse, mental health, male suicide and murder, and fights to secure a better future for himself.
Armstrong, 29, who will be a consultant on the series, fell
into gang culture in Airdrie at the age of 13 and was expelled from school in his mid-teens.
However, after being given a copy of Irvine Welsh's bestselling debut novel Trainspottingwhenhewas16,armstrong started to study secretly while still involved in his gang and went on to study English and creative writing at Stirling University.
Synchronicity’s announcement hailed the book as a “visceral novel which gives a previously unheard voice to a group ofyoungcharactersonthemargins of post-industrial society”.
Set in Airdrie’s housing schemes, the series is billed as anexplorationofhow“teenage boys become postcode warriors, amidst a violent booze and blades culture”.
It will be adapted by Scottish playwright and screenwriter Ben Tagoe, whose previous credits include Coronation Street, Eastenders and Casualty. Scottish director Adrian Mcdowell is also attached to the project.
Synchronicity founder Claire Mundell said: “Scottish literature couldn’t be hotter right now and Graeme’s debut novel is another brilliant addition to the landscape, heralding an important new voice.” Armstrongsaid:“iamabsolutely buzzing to be working with Claire Mundell at Synchronicity and the team to develop The Young Team for the screen.
“Their understanding of the landscape, both geographical and cultural, has made for an exciting coming together of multiple talents.”