The producers behind the hit shows The Dog House and First Dates are searching for children aged five to eight to take part in a brand new documentary.
The series is called Will You Be My Friend and is being produced by Five Mile Films for the BBC. This casting call comes at a time when the television industry is increasingly focused on social development, with this particular project aiming to show how a team of psychologists can help young children build the confidence to form lasting connections.
The show will be based at The Friendship Centre, where experts help children who might be shy or feel like they do not fit in. Each child is then sensitively matched on a play date with a potential new friend from their local area to help them find their tribe.
Emma Loach, Interim Head of Commissioning for Documentaries, said: “The longing to connect, to be seen, and to belong is universal. Whether you’re five or fifty-five, I defy anyone to watch these children without seeing a little bit of themselves reflected. In a world that can feel increasingly disconnected, this series shows that the simplest gestures – a smile, a shared joke, a tentative ‘will you be my friend?’ – still have the power to change everything. Five Mile Films has brought us something very special, and we couldn’t be prouder to give it a home on the BBC.”
The production team plans to return to the families six weeks after the initial sessions to see how the children are getting on at school and in the playground. The six part series is designed to be a warm and joyful look at the art of making friends.
Nick Mirsky, CEO of Five Mile Films, said: “I don’t think there’s a commission I could be more thrilled to bring to Five Mile. Will You Be My Friend? will be joyful, warm and funny, but it also does something genuinely new – inviting us to look closely at the challenge and art of making friends.”
Parents who are interested in the project can complete the application form here.
