Romesh Ranganathan Leads All-Star Cast in Film Celebrating the BBC's Cultural Footprint

​BBC Creative has unveiled its latest brand film, revisiting a 1986 campaign and reimagining the question for a new generation 40 years later: “What has the BBC ever done for me?”.

Inspired by the iconic BBC campaign starring John Cleese, the new star-studded film, fronted by Romesh Ranganathan, is a theatrical celebration of the BBC’s contribution to British life – from the content people love, to the news people trust, to its role and impact across the UK.

With the help of 90 stars, many of whose careers have been championed by the BBC, including Claudia Winkleman, Greg James, Trevor Nelson, Sara Cox, Anita Rani and Chris McCausland, Romesh is reminded of the many ways in which the BBC has contributed to everyday life.

Directed by Dougal Wilson from Blink Productions, and with original music by Ben Foster, Ben Bailey Smith and Andy Burrows performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and the BBC Singers, the film takes audiences on a journey through the breadth of the BBC’s extensive offering, weaving together drama, comedy, entertainment, sport, children’s content, radio and news.

Starting against the backdrop of the legendary EastEnders Queen Vic pub, what follows is a light-hearted, nostalgic tour of the corporation, where Romesh moves through a fantastical, rich catalogue of varying BBC settings, encountering 90 familiar faces and much-loved characters along the way: from Chris Martin performing at the pub’s piano to Louis Theroux hanging out backstage. The film weaves its way through some of the BBC's radio networks and takes a diversion via Wimbledon, showcasing the sheer scale and variety of the BBC’s creative output.

The seamless journey through the BBC’s universe creates a unique piece of creative storytelling, celebrating the moments, memories and shared experiences the broadcaster has created over generations. Just as the film moves from one much-loved programme, character and service to the next, it reflects the BBC’s ongoing role in bringing people together through the stories, entertainment and experiences it continues to deliver every day.

Justin Bairamian, director of BBC Creative said, “This campaign is a timely reminder of the value the BBC creates every day. Forty years after the question was first posed, we're returning to it through a new generation of stars and programmes. The film is a creative tribute to the answer, which lies in the millions of moments that inform, educate and entertain audiences across the UK, and in the value it brings to national life.”

The film launched across the BBC’s social channels ahead of its first TV broadcast during the World Cup Final on BBC One and iPlayer.

The campaign extends beyond the film, and will run across TV, radio, cinema, social media, digital platforms, newsletters and BBC iPlayer.