Chocolate lovers and period drama fans, rejoice: BritBox is cooking up a sweet new series that digs into the real-life origins of one of the world's most beloved confectionery empires. The Cadburys, a six-part drama previously known under the working title Chocolate Wars, has officially announced its cast—and it includes a familiar face from the Dune universe.
Jessica Barden, who recently appeared in HBO's Dune: Prophecy, will play Maria Cadbury in the series. The show is inspired by Deborah Cadbury's book of the same name and will follow the Cadbury family as they craft the iconic chocolate bar and change the world in the process. Barden joins a talented ensemble that includes Harry Gilby (Boarders) as George Cadbury, Toby Regbo (Outrageous) as Richard Cadbury, Pearce Quigley (The Gentlemen) as John Cadbury, Ben Hardy (The Conjuring: Last Rites) as Francis Fry, Joanna Scanlan (Riot Women), and Poppy Gilbert (The Other Bennett Sister) as Elizabeth Adlington.
The series is currently in production in Birmingham, the historic home of the Cadbury brand. Additional cast members include Felicity Montagu, Mathew Baynton, Adam Hashmi, William Singh, Oli Green, Alexander Butler, and rising talents Leah Swain-Heath, Maisie Britton, and Emma Montrochet.
If that weren't enough chocolate-themed star power, the project also boasts an executive producer with a sweet résumé: Freddie Highmore. The actor, best known for playing Charlie Bucket in Tim Burton's 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opposite Johnny Depp, is bringing his chocolate factory pedigree to the BritBox series. Highmore's involvement adds a fun layer of meta-connection for fans of both the fictional and real chocolate dynasties.
The announcement comes on the heels of the massive success of Wonka, the 2023 musical prequel starring Timothée Chalamet that grossed over $630 million worldwide. That film, based on Roald Dahl's classic character, remains a streaming hit, and Netflix recently announced a reality competition series called Wonka's The Golden Ticket to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the 1971 film. Now, BritBox is offering a more grounded, historical take on chocolate's cultural impact.
While Wonka leaned into whimsy and fantasy, The Cadburys promises a dramatic look at the real-life family behind the brand. The series will explore how the Cadburys revolutionized the chocolate industry and left a lasting mark on British culture and commerce. With a cast that blends established names like Barden and Highmore with fresh talent, the show is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of historical dramas and sweet-toothed storytelling alike.
Stay tuned for more updates on The Cadburys as production continues in Birmingham.
