CULVER CITY, California—November 12, 2021—ITV, Amazon Studios, and Greenacre Films announced today that production has begun in London on Riches. The six-part drama series, led by a stellar cast, will premiere on ITV in the UK, and will be available on Prime Video in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Nordics, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Riches follows the exploits of the brash, super-successful, and wealthy Richards family. It stars Deborah Ayorinde (Them, Truth Be Told) as Nina, the estranged daughter of self-made millionaire, Stephen Richards, played by Hugh Quarshie (Stephen, Absentia). Sarah Niles (Ted Lasso, I May Destroy You) plays Stephen’s second wife, Claudia, Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey, Requiem) stars as his trusted advisor and confidante, Gideon, and Hermione Norris (Cold Feet, Luther) stars as Stephen’s faithful assistant, Maureen Dawson.
The cast also includes Adeyinka Akinrinade (Top Boy, Temple) as Alesha, Ola Orebiyi (Cherry, A Brixton Tale) as Gus, C.J. Beckford (Sitting in Limbo, The Trial of Christine Keeler) as Andre, Nneka Okoye (Grantchester, The A List) as Wanda, and Emmanuel Imani (Cobra, Black Earth Rising) as Simon.
Highly intelligent with an undeniably ruthless streak, Stephen Richards is one of the UK’s most successful Black businessmen: Powerful, driven, impassioned, and with a glamourous second wife, Claudia, his life is never dull. Along with their adult children, Alesha, Gus, and Wanda, they love spending their hard-earned cash and enjoying the good life.
In New York, Stephen’s estranged children from his first marriage, Nina and Simon, have established themselves as entrepreneurs in their own right, each successful in their own field.
When Stephen suffers a sudden medical emergency, the family’s world comes crashing down. As his life hangs in the balance, his different sets of children are about to collide. With secrets and lies rising to the surface and the Richards empire at stake, it's going to be a complicated family reunion.
Creator and writer Abby Ajayi (How To Get Away with Murder, Inventing Anna) said: “Riches is a love letter to Black London and it has been thrilling to create the Richards family and celebrate their opulence, their ambition, and their immigrant grit. Our talented ensemble of actors are a joy and I’m excited to be partnering with Amazon Studios and ITV, and working alongside the powerhouses of Greenacre Films and Monumental Television to bring this show to the screen.”
Chris Mansolillo, director and head of content licensing in the U.S. for Prime Video, said: “Abby Ajayi has a distinct vision and voice, and has created a stylish and aspirational drama about a family at war with itself. We can’t wait to see the talented cast, led by Deborah Ayorinde and Sarah Niles, bring Abby’s fresh perspective to the screen for our Prime Video members.”
Polly Hill, head of drama at ITV, who commissioned Riches, said: “Abby’s scripts are brilliant, full of family feuds in a world of privilege and power that surprise and entertain. We are delighted with the brilliant cast we have, and can’t wait to see them bring Abby’s characters to life. It promises to be a real treat for the ITV audience next year.”
Greenacre Films’ Nadine Marsh-Edwards and Amanda Jenks said: “We are delighted to be working with Polly Hill and ITV to bring Abby Ajayi’s brilliant scripts to life, and thrilled to be working with such a great team in Amazon Studios and Monumental Television.”
Riches is produced by Greenacre Films in association with Monumental Television, and commissioned by ITV. Amazon Studios is coproducing in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Nordics, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Nadine Marsh-Edwards (Unsaid Stories, Been So Long) and Amanda Jenks (The Girl, Been So Long) are executive producers for Greenacre Films, and Alison Owen (Ghosts, Harlots, Murder in Provence) and Alison Carpenter (Ghosts, Harlots, Yonderland) are executive producers for Monumental Television. Riches will be produced by Yvonne Francas (The Syndicate, Our Girl, Death in Paradise) and directed by Sebastian Thiel, Abby Ajayi, and Darcia Martin. Banijay Rights will be responsible for international distribution on behalf of Greenacre Films.