The British Army’s most deployed infantry unit, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, is set to open its barracks to TV cameras for the very first time as part of a new limited docuseries for BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer.
Set against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, The Troops, produced by STV Studios Factual, will take viewers to the front line of modern soldiering and paint an illuminating, multifaceted picture of what it means to serve in the British Army in 2025.
The 3 x 60’ series will have unprecedented access to the regiment and cover everything from life on the barracks to large-scale overseas military exercises, as soldiers and officers move towards the realities of conflict – the likes of which haven’t been seen for a generation.
This character-led series will also shine a light on the relatable challenges the soldiers face in their private lives, and explore how they juggle their tough, high-octane military careers with family life on the barracks and at home.
The Troops is produced by STV Studios Factual for BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer. It is commissioned by Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland’s Head of Multiplatform Commissioning, and David Harron, Factual Commissioning Executive. Executive Producers are Craig Hunter, Creative Director of STV Studios Factual, and Rosy Marshall-McCrae. The Series Producer is Abby Herron. The Troops was developed by Lucy Hazzard, Director of Development at STV Studios Factual, and James Burrough.
STV Studios Factual is the BAFTA Scotland-winning production label behind documentaries including The Firm (BBC Scotland), Unvaccinated (BBC Two) and What Killed the Whale? (Channel 4), as well as upcoming series The Catfish Next Door (BBC Three) and Disease X (BBC Two).
David Harron, factual commissioning executive, BBC Scotland, said: “This series will give audiences rare and fascinating insights into the world of military service, by following the stories of the men and women in one of Scotland’s famous regiments. The Troops is the latest in a long line of observational documentary series from BBC Scotland which compellingly explore different aspects of contemporary Scotland.”
Craig Hunter, executive producer and creative director of STV Studios Factual, said: “Our series will reveal the personal and professional lives of the men and women behind the uniform. Merging the challenges of home life with modern day soldiering, we’ll follow a cast of characters facing some of the toughest working environments in the world.
“The Troops will move beyond the drills and the weapons training to accurately reflect the personalities, commitment and ambitions of an eclectic group of soldiers who could be deployed at any moment.”