Dreamland (TV series)

Dreamland is a British comedy television series based on Sharon Horgan's 2017 Sky Arts short Morgana Robinson's Summer. It premiered on Sky Atlantic with NOW from 6 April 2023.

Synopsis
Set in the British seaside town of Margate, three sisters are about to have their world turned upside down when their other sister suddenly returns.

Main cast

 * Freema Agyeman as Trish
 * Lily Allen as Mel
 * Kiell Smith-Bynoe as Spence
 * Gabby Best as Clare
 * Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Leila
 * Frances Barber as Cheryl/Mum
 * Sheila Reid as Nan
 * Samantha Bond as Orla
 * Jamie Bisping as Sammy
 * Eddison Burch as Jordan
 * Hugh Coles as Dom
 * Emily Barber as Eva
 * Sam Fletcher as James
 * Nigel Planer as Hamish
 * Martina Laird as Diane
 * Joy Richardson as Elizabeth
 * Ed Macarther as Liam

Support cast

 * Alistair Green as the Mayor
 * Angela Sims as Simone Willmott
 * Colin Hurley as Giant Rabbit man
 * Charlie Coletta
 * Dean Kirby as Barman
 * Géraldine Chevalley as Photographer
 * Guy Richardson as Delivery Man
 * Halema Hussain as Doctor Pranto
 * Hywel Simons as Doctor Bencoe
 * Katy Poulter as Nurse
 * Kevin Yates as Iona Muff
 * Madeleine Bowyer as Doctor Yvonne Halcrow
 * Nick Wilton as Doctor Beany
 * Rose Johnson as Photographer
 * Stephanie Fayerman as Sue
 * Toby Longworth as Cabbie

Development
A television adaptation of Horgan's short was in development as of July 2019. Ellie Heydon serves as lead director. Dreamland is produced by Horgan and Celia Mountford's Merman Films in association with Sky Studios. Jane Bell produces, with Alex Moody of Sky as executive producer, and Emma Jane Unsworth was named showrunner and associate producer. Gabby Best, Sharma Walfall and Sarah Kendall joined Unsworth in the writers' room.

In June 2022, it was revealed Lily Allen would make her television acting debut in Dreamland. The following month, Freema Agyeman was announced as Allen's co-lead. Gabby Best, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, and Frances Barber would reprise their roles from Morgana Robinson's Summer. Also joining the cast were Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Sheila Reid; Samantha Bond would guest star.

Principal photography began on location in Margate, Kent in summer 2022. Among the locations used were the town's tidal pool, the Dalby Cafe, and the Winter Gardens. Allen was spotted on set in July. Filming also took place in London.

Reception
Rachel Aroesti in The Guardian remarked that "Stretched out over a series arc, Dreamland is a paler, flabbier and altogether sunnier proposition than the lean, mean, spiky short it is based on. Brutal naturalism is out, misty-eyed warmth is in" and awarded it three out of five stars. Isobel Lewis in The Independent also awarded three out of five stars.