5, FRANK FILMS & GROUPM MOTION ENTERTAINMENT TO GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BRITISH INFANTRY IN ‘PLATOON’  

5 has today announced the commission of Platoon, an all-encompassing behind the scenes look at the journey this ‘band of brothers’ go on when joining the British Infantry as new recruits.  This four-part series will be co-produced by Frank Films and GroupM Motion Entertainment and distributed by Silverlining Rights. The series was commissioned by Kit Morey Commissioning Editor, Unscripted for 5.  

Platoons are the bedrock of the British Army - tight, highly trained groups of 30 soldiers who live, work, play and deploy together. Their small size fosters bonds between soldiers who will do anything for each other when the going gets tough. With access to The Rifles - the Army’s largest Infantry regiment – this series embeds a small crew within a single platoon to tell a soldiering story at eye-level, from formation to war-fighting and lethal Armoured Infantry platoon.

Searingly frank, heartbreakingly confessional, and laugh-out-loud funny, this four-part series is about creating a military family from scratch. 

On the new commission, Kit Morey, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted, 5 said: "We are thrilled to bring 'Platoon' to our audience. This series will capture the essence of what it means to be part of a platoon - the camaraderie, the challenges, and the unwavering bonds formed in the face of adversity. Viewers will experience the journey of these soldiers from a deeply personal perspective. 'Platoon' is not just a series; it's a tribute to the bravery and brotherhood of our armed forces." 

Jamie Balment, Creative Director at Frank Films added: “By embedding for 6 months within a single unit our ambition is tell the human story of life in the military as never before - at a time when European security has never been more uncertain.” 

Martin Oxley, Head of Formats & Entertainment (UK) and Executive Producer for GroupM Motion Entertainment commented: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Frank Films and 5, for what feels like a timely insight into what it means to be a soldier in the British army in 2025.” 

Platoon (4 X 60’) has been commissioned by Kit Morey, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted for 5 and co-produced by Frank Films and GroupM Motion Entertainment and will be distributed by Silverlining Rights. Will Lorimer will serve as Series Director, and Executive Producers will be Jamie Balment for Frank Films, and Martin Oxley for GroupM Motion Entertainment. Broadcast details will be announced in due course. 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

ABOUT 5: 

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Global family of brands.  Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from Channel 5 – including Milkshake!, its dedicated preschool brand – and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount+ and more.  In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.  Recent wins include BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024, along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries. 

ABOUT FRANK FILMS: 

Frank Films is a Bafta and RTS-award winning documentary production company. Based in Bristol, they are led by ex-BBC Documentaries Commissioning Editor Jamie Balment. Recent credits include Tribe with Bruce Parry; Strike: The Women Who Fought Back & Trawlermen: Chasing the Catch.

ABOUT GROUPM MOTION ENTERTAINMENT: 

GroupM Motion Entertainment funds, develops, produces and distributes premium television, digital content and award-winning programming around the globe in partnership with the world’s leading producers, talent, networks, and platforms. Through innovative commercial and creative partnerships Motion works alongside GroupM agencies to produce original brand-funded content and unique entertainment partnerships that create value and help clients play a positive and active role in culture. The company has co-produced over 2,300 series, equating to over 42,000 hours of television across all programming genres. Motion currently operates in 35+ countries worldwide with headquarters in London and Los Angeles. GroupM Motion Entertainment is part of GroupM, a WPP company.