The latest script from Andrew Davies

Made by Modern Television for the BBC to mark the centenary of Dylan Thomas’s birth, the drama explores how Dylan Thomas, the creator of some of the most memorable lines in the English language, died in a smog-ridden New York on a November day in 1953, aged 39.

Set in New York and Laugharne, A Poet In New York begins when Dylan (Tom Hollander) arrives in the city on his fourth and fatal visit to rehearse, write and party. One of the most famous poets in the world by the early 1950s, Dylan's popular and electrifying tours had also made him a much-loved celebrity in America.

He was on his way to Hollywood to write an opera with Stravinsky. But, before he headed west, he had to earn enough to fund the trip by fulfilling a commitment to take part in a production of the recently completed Under Milk Wood at the prestigious Poetry Centre in Manhattan. What might have been a triumphant new departure in his career and life turned instead into a requiem for a man whose life had spiralled out of control.

A Poet In New York, directed by Aisling Walsh (Room At The Top, Loving Miss Hatto), explores how Dylan's past made his present virtually untenable, and the part that he played in his own demise.

Tom Hollander says: “Thomas was a great poet, whose blazing life and premature death left both a considerable poetic legacy and an enduring reputation for bad behaviour. He was also quite fat. Playing him was both a wonderful acting challenge and a great opportunity to eat things that I would normally have to avoid.”

A Poet In New York also stars Essie Davis (The Slap, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries), as Dylan’s wife Caitlin, Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting, Page Eight), and Phoebe Fox (Switch, New Tricks).

Essie Davis says: “I was very excited to be part of this production and working with this terrific team on A Poet In New York. I played Polly Garter in Under Milk Wood in high school and have loved Dylan Thomas since that first meeting. Caitlin has an interesting story to tell and it is thrilling to be part of a project celebrating the centenary of his birth.”

A Poet In New York was co-commissioned by Janice Hadlow, then Controller BBC Two, Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama and Commissioning, and Adrian Davies, Head of English Language Programmes and Services, BBC Cymru Wales. It is made by Modern Television for BBC Cymru Wales.

Writer Andrew Davies says: "Tom is a wonderful actor, with a striking resemblance to the poet. He's captured the wonderful voice, and he has, more than any other actor I can think of, that outrageous charm that drew so many people to Dylan."

Griff Rhys Jones, Executive Producer, Modern Television, says: “Andrew Davies has written a moving, exciting and sensitive script about the tragic end of a huge figure. It does full justice to Dylan and his legacy.”

Faith Penhale, Head of Drama for BBC Cymru Wales, adds: "Andrew has written a heart-breaking script that captures those last few days of Dylan's life beautifully. The memory of Dylan's childhood and his yearning for home life with Caitlin back in Wales is woven in seamlessly and I can think of no better team of acting talent to bring this script and this real-life story to screen."

A Poet In New York is produced by Ruth Caleb. The executive producers are Griff Rhys Jones for Modern Television and Faith Penhale and Bethan Jones for BBC Cymru Wales and BBC Two. Filming took place in Cardiff and Laugharne.