The two outlets have greenlit 1536, a darkly comedic drama from writer and showrunner Ava Pickett (The Great, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast). “We’re elated to partner with Ava Pickett and the BBC to bring her first television series to life,” said Francesca Orsi, executive vp HBO Programming and HBO Programming, head of HBO drama series and films. Pickett and Manners will executive produce with Jude Liknaitzky, Roanna Benn, Rebecca de Souza and Chloe Beeson for Drama Republic and Anna Ferguson for the BBC. “I’m so excited and thrilled to be working with HBO, the BBC and Drama Republic on 1536 and feel very lucky to have them champion this story so fiercely,” said Pickett. “We are thrilled to be working once again with the HBO team and look forward to bringing Ava’s brilliantly bold scripts to life together with the team at Drama Republic,” said Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama.