Five writers. Five characters. One story. Set in London, the five standalone films feature chance encounters between characters which question identity and change perceptions.
In a city of millions, teenager Ash (Michael Ajao) is lost. He wants to be the big man, but reality doesn’t quite deliver. A chance encounter leads him to make a dangerous decision, starting a chain reaction that plays out across these five connected short films.
As Ash faces down some vengeful bullies he interrupts Chloe’s (Georgina Campbell) romantic plans. Her target, Lucas, (Ben Tavassoli) is bewildered and seeks solace with Jules (Nina Yndis), a bored waitress. Jules ignores her customer Janine (Ruth Madeley), who breaks the law but escapes the attention of cop Michael (Sope Dirisu) – who encounters a badly beaten Ash, in need of help but unable to ask for it.
Ash’s choice started it all. Michael’s decision to intervene or walk away will end it.
Five by Five is available on BBC Three from Monday 27 March as part of The Idris Takeover, a unique and ground-breaking season of content created and curated by Idris Elba.
cast
Idris Elba
Michael Ajao as Ash
Georgina Campbell as Chloe
Ben Tavassoli as Lucas
Nina Yndis as Jules
Ruth Madeley as Janine
Sope Dirisu as Michael
key behind the scenes crew
Idris Elba as Executive Producer
Richard Stokes as Executive Producer
Hilary Salmon as Executive Producer
Dean Byfield as Producer
Cat Jones as Writer
Lee Coan as Writer
Namsi Khan as Writer
Selina Lim as Writer
Nathaniel Price as Writer
show type
Anthology of short dramas of 5 minutes duration
broadcast from
27 March 2017
network and production companies
BBC Three – BBC Studios – Green Door
