Make Me Famous is Reggie Yates’s first produced screenplay, a critically-acclaimed, emotionally resonant drama exploring the impact and consequences of fast fame on reality TV contestants and their close friends and family.
When Billy succeeds in impressing the producers of a fictional constructed reality show, he believes his life is set to change forever. A year after the show has aired, while some of Billy’s co-stars’ careers are thriving, Billy struggles to balance the afterglow of fame, social media, and tabloid kiss and tells, and the resulting assumptions people have made about his character – forcing deep vulnerabilities to the surface. Can Billy escape the reputation that now precedes him?
Starring Tom Brittney, Amanda Abbington, Aiysha Hart, Nina Sosanya, Emma Rigby, Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge and Tilly Keeper, the film was directed by Peter King, produced by Margaret Conway and Executive Produced by Expectation’s factual drama leads, Sue Horth and Colin Barr.
Drawing on Reggie’s own experience growing up with the BBC Three audience, it sits within the channel’s strong heritage of powerful single dramas, exploring social issues that affect young audiences. After premiering on iplayer it moved swiftly to BBC One.
The Mirror “The often devastating impact of fast fame on reality TV contestants is laid bare in this slick drama”
Evening Standard “Reggie Yates’ writing is masterful…the emotional punches are perfectly timed”
The i “An overwhelmingly sad look at fame and youth… claustrophobic, urgent clarity… Brittney was excellent… watch it and don’t turn away.”
The Times “Uncompromising drama… Brittney is exceptional”