Making friends isn’t always easy — and for some children, it can feel especially difficult. The BBC is looking for children aged 5-8 to take part. Find out more below.
A new BBC series, Will You Be My Friend?, is currently looking for children aged 5 to 8 who may be finding friendships a challenge. Whether they’re shy, struggling with confidence, or simply haven’t found their “people” yet, the programme aims to gently support them in building meaningful connections.
A new series focused on friendship
From the team behind The Dog House and the BAFTA-winning First Dates, this six-part series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It’s being produced by Five Mile Films.
At the heart of the show is a simple idea: helping children take those first steps towards friendship.
How it works
The series introduces The Friendship Centre, where a team of psychologists work with children to help them build confidence and develop social skills.
Each child is then thoughtfully matched with another child from their local area for a playdate — a chance to connect in a relaxed, supported environment.
Six weeks later, the programme revisits the children to see how things have developed, both at home and at school.
Why this matters
Friendship plays a huge role in children’s wellbeing — and recent research suggests many are struggling more than ever:
- 42% of young people say friendships and social life are a daily worry
- 47% of parents have noticed a decline in their child’s social and emotional skills since the pandemic
- Over half of parents say their children struggle to make friends due to low confidence
- 45% of children aged 10–15 report feeling lonely at least some of the time
These early challenges can have long-term effects, with loneliness linked to anxiety, depression and even physical health risks later in life.
As Emma Loach, Interim Head of Commissioning for Documentaries at the BBC, explains:
“The longing to connect, to be seen, and to belong is universal. Whether you’re five or fifty-five, I defy anyone to watch these children without seeing a little bit of themselves reflected.”
A gentle, positive approach
The series promises to be warm, uplifting and reassuring — showing that even small moments, like sharing a joke or asking “will you be my friend?”, can make a big difference.
Nick Mirsky, CEO of Five Mile Films, describes it as:
“Joyful, warm and funny — but also something genuinely new. It invites us to look closely at the challenge and art of making friends.”
Want to take part?
Filming will take place in July and August 2026, and the production team is currently looking for families who would like to be involved.
If you think your child might benefit from taking part, you can apply here:
👉 https://bemyfriend.tv
