Russell T. Davies Explains Why Logo’s ‘Bananas’ Isn’t Part of ‘Cucumber’ – TCA

Logo TV  announced last month it’s co-producing, with Channel 4 in UK, two new series from Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, Queer As Folk) to air in early this year. Cucumber and Banana are interwoven series that explore 21st century gay life through the lens of two generations. Today, Davies and the cast came to Winter TV Press Tour to explain that the hour-long Cucumber focuses on Henry Best and his boyfriend of nine years, Lance Sullivan; Lance wants to get married; Henry not so much. The half-hour Banana, therefore, follows the lives of younger characters “orbiting around Henry’s world,” in urban Manchester, England.

A TV critic wondered why this wasn’t one series, with an A and B storyline. “It would have diluted it,” Davies insisted, via satellite. The show-and-satellite is a better set up for the “multi-platform digital age,” Davies explained, in which a subject is splintered into stories, separate stories, where you can explore it yourself. It’s more interactive and I think the audience, particularly younger audiences, love that.”

“I hope it works — my fingers are crossed,” Davies added.

The franchise includes yet another element: Tofu which Davies described as a documentary series,  and an “online backup” to Cucumber and Banana, about sex. Topics might include people talking about losing their virginity, he explained.

“Whether you’ll find it online or not I’m not sure, but it will be available somewhere,” Davies said.