Written by new-contact on Apr 2, 2014. Posted in On Location

BBC to film two-part drama One Child on location in London and Hong Kong

Location filming will take place in London and Hong Kong for the BBC’s new two-part TV drama One Child. Co-produced by the BBC and Sundance TV, the production will tell the story of a Chinese-born woman adopted by Anglo-American parents as a result of China’s ‘One Child’ policy.

“I wanted to visit a contemporary Chinese city to discover what I felt was the most important story to tell from the point of view of the ordinary Chinese citizen. It is, of course, corruption - as it is in far too many countries throughout the world,” said writer Guy Hibbert.

“My story is set amongst the poorest in the city and amongst the richest, the new billionaire class abusing power alongside provincial Party officials. I have also looked at the effect of the One Child policy - under which so many baby girls were abandoned and a fortunate few were adopted in the West. What has it been like for those children to grow up living between two cultures?”

Added Sundance TV President Sarah Barnett: “One Child is a deeply affecting work that delves into the heart of a human struggle. It tells the story of an ordinary young woman who is plunged into a situation that challenges her to her core. This new miniseries will take viewers on a very immersive journey across borders, and we're excited to add it to our 2014 scripted drama slate.”

My story is set amongst the poorest in the city and amongst the richest, the new billionaire class abusing power alongside provincial Party officials.

Guy Hibbert, Writer

Hong Kong and other Chinese cities such as Shanghai are becoming more popular as international filming locations. Big-budget Hollywood productions able to secure co-production status in China can bypass tight annual restrictions on international movie releases and potentially tap into the Chinese market much more lucratively.

Michael Bay’s Transformers: Age of Extinction (above) filmed on location in Hong Kong, but also built a set of the city in Detroit, while filmmaker Spike Jonze filmed on location in Shanghai for his future romance Her.

(Transformers image: Paramount Pictures/Michael Bay)