It's London, 1851. The city is in the throes of the industrial revolution. But amongst the dirty red bricks and smoke stacks are four young, thrill-seeking artists - steadfast William Holman Hunt, naive John Millais, mischievous Dante Gabriel Rossetti and budding journalist Fred Walters - otherwise known as the Brotherhood. Their quest for artistic immortality takes them into some of the lewdest, darkest and funniest corners of the city. Joining them is sassy, sexy model Lizzie Siddal. But is she risking it all with this dangerous bunch? With a glossy look, and a driving contemporary soundtrack, Desperate Romantics is a character-driven romp through the alleyways, studios, brothels and chop-houses of 19th century London.

Starring Aidan Turner (Being Human, The Clinic), Samuel Barnett (The History Boys, Beautiful People, John Adams), Rafe Spall (He Kills Coppers, Room with a View, Hot Fuzz)

Producer Ben Evans (Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!, Consuming Passion); Executive Producers Hilary Salmon (House of Saddam, Criminal Justice, Silent Witness), Franny Moyle

Writer Peter Bowker (Blackpool, Flesh and Blood)