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BBC television series looks to cast Harrogate children for new series

Friday, 20 March 2026 08:33

Will you be my friend.

A new BBC television series is looking for young children in Harrogate who may be finding it difficult to make friends.

The programme, titled Will You Be My Friend?, is being produced by Five Mile Films for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

It will explore how children aged between five and eight experience and develop friendships.

The six-part series will follow children who may struggle socially for a variety of reasons, including shyness or difficulty fitting in.

The programme will introduce a setting known as the Friendship Centre, where psychologists work with the children to help build confidence and social skills.

Participants will be matched with another child for a playdate, with the programme revisiting them several weeks later to see how their experiences may have influenced their confidence at school and in social settings.

Emma Loach, Interim Head of Commissioning for Documentaries at the BBC, 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.”

Nick Mirsky, CEO of Five Mile Films, added:

“Will You Be My Friend? will be joyful, warm and funny, but it also does something new – inviting us to look closely at the challenge and art of making friends.”

The series is expected to air on BBC One and be available via BBC iPlayer.

Applications to get your child involved can be found here.

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