‘Rye Lane’ Star David Jonsson Penning Debut Drama Series ‘Hype’

EXCLUSIVE: Industry and Rye Lane star David Jonsson is writing his first television drama series.

Deadline can reveal that Jonsson is working with Baby Reindeer producer Clerkenwell Films on Hype (working title), a comedy-drama series about four friends in East London who attempt to enter the world of fashion retail.

Plot details are under wraps but we hear the project will explore Black culture’s influence on British fashion through the lives of the friends, who embody a a culture of hustle.

Jonsson is set to write, executive produce and star in the series. He has been working with senior execs at Somewhere Boy and The End of the F***ing World producer Clerkenwell to shape the scripts. Petra Fried and Rachelle Constant are executive producers for the BBC Studios-owned indie.

“It’s important to me to put a lens on interesting stories, stories that represent where I’m from and what I seem,” told Jonsson Deadline in a statement. “As an actor, it’s usually your job to jump into other people’s visions, so it’s cool to be creating my own.”

Fried, Joint Managing Director of Clerkenwell, said the scripts were “funny and emotional,” adding that they were “unbelievably good.” Clerkenwell will take the project to market shortly.

The project marks Jonsson’s foray into series writing. He had previously scripted 2018 comedy short Gen Y, which he also directed alongside Lee Gray. That followed five teens who decide to leave education behind and make their own way in London. More recently, he wrote and directed Honeybaby, and he is working on several TV and film ideas.

Jonsson is best known for acting roles in shows such as BBC banking drama Industry and Agatha Christie adaptation Murder is Easy. He also starred in Raine Allen-Miller’s well-received rom-com Rye Lane, which was nominated for a BAFTA Best Film award, and landed him and co-star Vivian Oparah a Best Joint Lead Performance nom at the British Independent Film Awards.

Jonsson has, however, been developing his writing and directing credentials since the early stages of his career. He won a scholarship on the Warner Bros. Creative Talent program, has been mentored by senior members of both BAFTA and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was on the BBC Creators in Residence scheme.

We hear a junior member of the Clerkenwell team who was familiar with Jonsson read the script for Hype and brought it to Clerkenwell, which immediately put it into development.

Last week, we revealed Clerkenwell had landed a second season of Cheaters, the BBC short-form relationship comedy.

Jonsson’s writing career is represented by Amy Sparks at Under New MGMT. For acting he is represented by United Agents and CAA.