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Cucumber, Banana, and Tofu – 3 Interconnected LGBT Shows Across 3 Different Channels

Watch the trailer for Russell T Davies (creator of ‘Queer as Folk’) new three-fold LGBT themed series ‘Cucumber’, ‘Banana’ and ‘Tofu’.

Both shows are set in Manchester and will focus on interweaving characters from different generations. The series looks to explore “the passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life”, telling gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender stories, as well as love beyond labels.

The shows were co-produced by Channel 4 and will air in the UK next week. There are also plans to air the show in US in early 2015 on Logo TV.

Cucumber and Banana are two original drama series. Cucumber follows 46-year-old Henry and his long-term boyfriend Lance in the aftermath of “the worst date night in history” and will air on Channel 4.

While ‘Banana’ follows the lives of ‘Cucumber’s younger characters in more detail, will be shown on E4 right after Cucumber airs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afASM_sXbl4#t=13

Tofu, meanwhile, is an online documentary series about sex and sexuality. This show will will be available online at 4OD.

This is Davies’s first work with Channel 4 since ‘Queer as Folk’ ended in 2000. He also worked on Doctor Who, and creating its spinoff shows Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Cucumber, Banana and Tofu begin in January 2015, starring Vincent Franklin, Cyril Nri, James Murray, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Rufus Hound and Freddie Fox.

 

Channel 4 Talks Upcoming Gay Drama ‘Cucumber’

It doesn’t take a television analyst to see that the state of LGBT characters in the media isn’t quite where we want it to be. Often, non-heterosexual (or non-cisgendered) characters are shoehorned in with side plots and undeveloped storylines even at the best of times, which is why it’s so refreshing to see those who have broken away from heteronormativity get the spotlight.

UK television channel Channel 4 is often very good with that, previously airing iconic, queer-friendly shows like Skins across its network. Now, the channel is coming back with several gay dramas based around one another, the flagship of these being ‘Cucumber’.

Set to star Vincent Franklin as a gay male in his 40s who is attracted to a younger man, Cucumber will also feature Julie Hesmondhalgh (of Coronation Street fame) and comedian Rufus Hound. A gay drama, it will be interesting to see a gay male at the centre of attention this time round and Russell T. Davies, the creator of Queer As Folk, another iconic piece of queer media, is on board to helm the show which is incredibly hopeful indeed.

Cucumber will also have a companion show named Banana which will air on Channel 4’s sister channel E4 and will be aimed towards the younger demographic. There will also be an online portion of the project named Tofu which will explore stories of gay sex and will also feature contributions from the public.

All having potentially conservative-bothering storylines, characters and topics, Piers Wenger, Channel 4’s Head of Drama explains…

“In a drama looking at the details of people’s sex lives, whether gay or straight people, of course you are required to bust taboos or ask probing questions. There’s no doubt people will find it challenging but it’s asking intelligent questions in an original way.”

Piers Wenger, Channel 4’s Head of Drama

Meanwhile, Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer noted that the shows are all “channel-defining” and that they likely wouldn’t broadcast on US television networks. Cucumber, Banana and Tofu will, however, air in the UK sometime in 2015.

Source:PinkNews