Casting for The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ has been announced alongside a first-look picture as filming begins on the new series for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ marks the return of an iconic British character to our screens. It’s New Year’s Day 1981, and Adrian starts his uniquely funny diary about family life and being a teenager before the advent of mobile phones and social media. With only a multi-coloured ballpoint pen as his guide, Adrian worries about his spots, his parents’ divorce, the torment of first love and the fact that he’s never seen a female nipple. This vivid portrait of suburban life in Britain shows how much we have changed while staying the same. The result is a timeless family drama that is as warm and funny as it is sad and poignant.
Based on Sue Townsend’s best-selling book of the same name, the nine-part series is being adapted for the screen by David Nicholls (One Day) and made by Big Talk Studios, part of ITV Studios, for the BBC.
Oliver Savell (Changing Ends) will star as the iconic Adrian Mole. Oliver received a BAFTA nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2025 and is nominated again at the upcoming 2026 awards. He also won Best Male Comedy Performance at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards in 2025, with a further nomination in 2026.
Alongside Oliver as Adrian, Lisa McGrillis (Rivals) plays his mother, Pauline, and Colin Hoult (Slow Horses) plays his father, George. Pam Ferris (Matilda) joins the cast as Grandma, Galaxie Clear (Extra Geography) as Pandora and Alun Armstrong (The Choral) as Bert.
Other cast also announced today include Jude Forsey as Nigel, Rory Keenan as Mr Lucas, David Wilmot as Mr Scruton and Karl Collins as Mr Cherry.
Caitlin Moran and Caroline Moran (Raised By Wolves), Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor (Everyone Else Burns), and Jack Rooke (Big Boys) are also writing the adaptation.
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ is a Big Talk Studios production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, commissioned the series. Alex Winckler (Mary & George) directs, and Charlotte Robinson (A Thousand Blows) produces.
The executive producers are Kenton Allen and Luke Alkin for Big Talk Studios, and David Nicholls and Alex Winckler. Filming is underway in and around Hartlepool and Sunderland, and the series will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
The North East Production Fund supports the production, delivered on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) by North East Screen.
Follow Us