The BBC has released a gripping new six-part thriller that holds a dark mirror up to wealth, power, and the compromises women make to survive. Wild Cherry, available now on iPlayer, plunges viewers into the cloistered, ultra-privileged world of 'the island', a fictional Surrey enclave named Richford Lake.
A World of Privilege and Pressure
Starring Carmen Ejogo, the series exposes a hermetically sealed society of mansions hidden behind ancient trees and gated lanes. Ejogo, 52, admitted to Metro that filming in Surrey revealed an 'insane level of wealth' she hadn't realised existed so close to London, creating a palpable 'them and us' divide.
Ejogo's character, Lorna, is one of several 'yummy mummies' navigating the treacherous social landscape of a private all-girls school. The narrative weaves together classic teenage angst with a dangerous new era of social media, where daughters believe they are in control but are being unwittingly exploited.
Unpacking Uncomfortable Work Stories
At the heart of the drama is Lorna's mysterious past, where she was forced into a relationship with her much older boss, played by Hugh Quarshie, as a last resort to advance her career. This storyline directly taps into the legacy of the #MeToo movement.
'Most women that I meet have some story that is uncomfortable, awkward, weird when it comes to work dynamics and choices they made that might have been a little compromising,' Ejogo revealed. 'Just to survive. Just to keep going. I think so many of us have that story at some point.'
The series is the creation of Bafta-winning writer Nicôle Lecky, 35, who also appears on screen as an American life coach disliked by the mothers. Ejogo praised Lecky's 'curious, idiosyncratic worldview' and her ability to showcase 'the full gamut of the female experience for many different generations.'
A Pulpy Thriller with a Dark Secret
While tackling weighty themes, Wild Cherry is, above all, a pulpy thriller. The show features a flashforward of blood-soaked women trying to scrub away evidence of a shocking event that Ejogo promises 'audiences aren't prepared for.'
Lorna's partner in crime is Juliet, played by Eve Best, described as a 'hot mess express' and a fabulously unhinged counterpoint to Ejogo's buttoned-up Lorna. The series also explores the complexities of modern parenting, with Ejogo, a mother of two, relating to the 'overarching struggle' of raising daughters in a society that doesn't always support them.
Despite her personal connection to the material, Ejogo confirmed that tweaking the script was a 'no-no', as Lecky is a 'strong gatekeeper of her own material'. All six episodes of this sophisticated, genre-mashing thriller are available to stream on BBC iPlayer from today.
