Adrian Mole’s Hilarious Teenage Trials: A Look at Life in 1980s Suburbia

Production Details

Title: The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾

Format: Series / BBC One

Production Begins: March 2026

Filming Location: Yorkshire, UK

Producer: Kenton Allen, Luke Alkin, Charlotte Robinson

Writer/Producer: David Nicholls

Writers: Caitlin Moran, Caroline Moran, Dillon Mapletoft, Oliver Taylor, Jack Rooke

Director: Alex Winckler

CD: Robert Sterne

Synopsis: 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 he’s never seen a female nipple. As Adrian’s mother Pauline wrestles with her feminist awakening, his father George struggles with being made redundant in an unforgiving economy. Adrian’s wider world is made up of a host of memorable characters like his ‘treacle-haired beloved’ Pandora, his take-no-prisoners Grandma and his unlikely friend, the foul-mouthed pensioner Bert Baxter. 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.

Production Company

Big Talk Studios

26 Nassau St.
London, W1W 7AQ
UK

info@bigtalkproductions.com
Phone: +44 20 7255 1131
Fax: +44 20 7255 1132

About The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾

Set in 1981, this series follows Adrian Mole as he navigates the challenges of adolescence in a changing world. Keeping a diary with a simple pen, he reflects on family dynamics, the confusion of young love, and the struggles faced by those around him, including his parents coping with divorce and economic hardship. With a cast of endearing characters, including his spirited mother and a wise but unconventional friend, the story paints a picture of suburban life that resonates with universal themes. It captures both the humor and the heartache of growing up, revealing insights into personal and societal issues of the time.