Martin Freeman (The Office/Hot Fuzz) and Alexander Armstrong (Armstrong & Miller/Mutual Friends) lead the cast in Syntax Era (working title) a single drama from Darlow Smithson for BBC Four.
Syntax Era provides an affectionately comic account of the Eighties race for home computer supremacy. The drama documents the lengthy rivalry between maverick visionary Sir Clive Sinclair (Armstrong) and his former colleague Chris Curry (Freeman) as they go head to head to achieve domination of the growing home computer market.
Richard Klein, Controller of BBC Four, says: "Those of us that lived through the Eighties will remember the sense of excitement when gadgets and technology started to appear in our homes, but not many of us will know the fascinating stories behind their arrival. Alexander Armstrong and Martin Freeman are excellent choices to portray Sir Clive Sinclair and Chris Curry at a time when battling to have the UK's most loved home computer was their number one priority."
Written by Tony Saint, this 90-minute drama uses archive footage to help illustrate the buzz around Sinclair and Curry's inventions. Classic clips from programmes including John Craven's Newsround showcase the likes of Sinclair's ZX Spectrum, the infamous Sinclair C5 and Curry's triumphant BBC Micro computer demonstrating the influence these men had on Eighties' life.
Key cast also include: Derek Riddell (Ugly Betty/The Born Identity) and Colin Michael Carmichael (I Want Candy/Coupling) as part of the team of the hard working technologists working round the clock to make their bosses dreams become reality. Syntax Era also features a cameo from James Fleet as former Minister for Education Kenneth Baker.
Currently being filmed, this original 90-minute comedy drama is being made by Darlow Smithson. Written by Tony Saint, directed by Saul Metzstein and produced by Andrea Cornwell. The Executive Producer for BBC Four is Jamie Laurenson.
Syntax Era was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning.
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