Channel 4 has commissioned a six-part drama series, Army of Shadows, written by the BAFTA award-winning Ronan Bennett (The Day of the Jackal, MobLand, Top Boy) and co-produced by STUDIOCANAL (Families Like Ours, Playing Nice) and Two Cities Television (Blue Lights, Patrick Melrose). 

Inspired by Jean Pierre Melville’s 1969 film and Joseph Kessel’s seminal book of the same name, Army of Shadows, is developed and produced with the support of the Melville family, and the Kessel estate which is controlled by the Irish Red Cross.

The film and novel famously dramatized the emergence of the French Resistance to the Nazi occupation of France during World War 2. Bennett has created a bold new story from the underlying works that tells the story of how resistance takes shape in a near-future authoritarian Britain.  Under de facto American occupation, a former British army officer builds a covert resistance cell from scratch – navigating betrayal, moral compromise and the tension between patience and action – as young recruits fight to reclaim their country and their futures.

Across six episodes, the series chronicles the early days of the British Resistance. From first kills and internal betrayals to propaganda campaigns, internment camps, and a climactic political assassination – this is a story about how freedom is taken and how it can be won back.

And the question at its heart is timeless: What would you do if your country were occupied?

Ronan Bennett comments, “I’m thrilled to be working with the teams at Channel 4, Studio Canal, Two Cities and CANAL+ on such great source material, and I’m delighted to have such strong support from the Melville family. Democracy is once again in clear and present danger. Resistance to fascism is – and must always be – a permanent struggle. This is a story about commitment, resistance and defiance in the coming age.” 

Gemma Boswell, Commissioning Editor, Drama at Channel 4 said, “Army of Shadows is a gripping and provocative drama that speaks directly to our times. Ronan Bennett’s vision is bold and uncompromising, reimagining a classic story with thrilling and emotional depth. We’re proud to be working with STUDIOCANAL, Two Cities Television and CANAL+ to bring this powerful series to Channel 4.”