The creative partnership comes after the creation of Knight (Peaky Blinders, Taboo, See) and Kudos’ BBC series SAS Rogue Heroes. The deal will give Kudos a first look at Knight’s UK based projects, and will utilise Knight’s Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham, showing a firm commitment to increasing financial investment in skills and training in the West Midlands.

Kudos and Knights collaboration has kicked off with Two Tone (working title), a drama set in late 70s Birmingham about the connections formed through two tone music, being greenlit for a six part series.  

Steven Knight says of the Kudos creative partnership: “This is a real opportunity to nurture and grow the TV industry in the fertile soil of Birmingham. We need local people, local locations, local know-how and local stories to help us make world beating screen content.

Kudos and Knight will also team up with Sarah Lancashire’s (Happy Valley) indie Via Pictures, to produce a series depicting the life of William Shakespeare; following him from his humble beginnings as the son of a glove maker to the UK’s most famous literary figure.

The concept has been developed by Lancashire, written by Knight, and will be filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios.

Martin Haines, Joint MD of Kudos said; “I am delighted we are building on our relationship with Steve and taking our partnership to the next level in this fantastic way which will have real impact on the production industry in Birmingham and the West Midlands.”