Academy Award winner Rachel Shenton has developed a new scripted podcast series titled Gladstone Girls. The series, directed by Chris Overton, is a six-part production that centers around a group of women working in a pottery factory.
The narrative is set in Stoke-on-Trent, England during the 1970s and follows the group’s determined efforts to preserve ‘Curl Friday,’ a beloved factory tradition. This custom involves transforming their workspace into a makeshift hair salon every Friday evening, preparing for a night out. However, their cherished ritual comes under threat when a new floor manager attempts to cut their wages should they continue this practice. The women’s peaceful protest against this injustice ends up having significant consequences.
As reported by Variety, Slick Films produces the series, with a cast featuring Shenton, who is also lauded for her role as Helen in All Creatures Great and Small. Joining her are Anna Madeley from All Creatures Great And Small, Dot Atkinson of Mum, and Adrian Rawlins, known for his role in Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone.
Shenton developed the show as a tribute to her family and hometown, saying, “My nan, grandad, aunts, and uncles all worked on the pots. I wanted to create a piece that celebrates the city, the heritage, and the people.”
“This is an exciting true story with bundles of heart and comedy, but at the centerpiece is an important story which is very current today,” said Overton. “The characters are so vibrant. It could be the most fun I’ve ever had making something.”
