New drama from Guy Hibbert

Actress Katie Leung (Harry Potter, Run) is to play the lead in Guy Hibbert‘s (Blood And Oil, Five Minutes Of Heaven) new BBC Two drama, One Child.

The 2×90-minute drama sees Katie Leung star as Mei (Leung), a first-born Chinese girl adopted by an American mother and British father.

When asked to return to her birthplace, Guangzhou, when her birth mother desperately seeks her assistance in saving her son. How far will Mei go to help the woman who gave her away and the brother she’s never met? This drama takes a new look at what it means to be family as Mei struggles with who she really is and where her loyalties lie.

Writer Guy Hibbert says: “I wanted to visit a contemporary Chinese city to discover what I felt was the most important story to tell from the point of view of the ordinary Chinese citizen. It is, of course, corruption – as it is in far too many countries throughout the world. My story is set amongst the poorest in the city and amongst the richest, the new billionaire class, abusing power alongside provincial Party officials. I have also looked at the effect of the One Child policy – under which so many baby girls were abandoned and a fortunate few were adopted in the West. What has it been like for those children to grow up living between two cultures?”

Sundance TV President, Sarah Barnett, commented: “One Child is a deeply affecting work that delves into the heart of a human struggle. It tells the story of an ordinary young woman who is plunged into a situation that challenges her to her core. This new mini-series will take viewers on a very immersive journey across borders, and we’re excited to add it to our 2014 scripted drama slate.”

The co-production by BBC In-House Drama England Production and Sundance TV, will be executive produced by Hilary Salmon and produced by Grainne Marmion (What Remains, A Small Island). Director is John Alexander (The 7.39, Exile, A Small Island

One Child begins production in May in London and Hong Kong and will air in late 2014.