A new BBC documentary series is set to shine a light on childhood friendship.
Will You Be My Friend? will follow children aged five to eight who are struggling to make friends, exploring the challenges of social connection at a young age.
The series aims to highlight the importance of early relationships and the impact of loneliness on children’s emotional development.
Emma Loach, interim head of commissioning for documentaries at the BBC, said: "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.
"In a world that can feel increasingly disconnected, this series shows that the simplest gestures – a smile, a shared joke, a tentative 'will you be my friend?' – still have the power to change everything.
"Five Mile Films has brought us something very special, and we couldn't be prouder to give it a home on the BBC."
Produced by Five Mile Films, the team behind Channel 4’s The Dog House, the six-part series will introduce viewers to The Friendship Centre, where psychologists support children in building confidence and social skills.
Each child is matched with a potential friend for a playdate, with the cameras returning six weeks later to follow their progress.
Nick Mirsky, CEO of Five Mile Films, said: "I don’t think there’s a commission I could be more thrilled to bring to Five Mile.
"Will You Be My Friend? will be joyful, warm and funny, but it also does something genuinely new – inviting us to look closely at the challenge and art of making friends."
Filming is scheduled to take place in July and August 2026, with the production team seeking children aged five to eight from Leigh to take part.
The documentary arrives at a time when many children are struggling with social confidence and connection.
According to recent data, 42 per cent of young people report that friendships and social life are a daily concern.
Nearly half of parents have observed a decline in their child’s social and emotional skills since the pandemic, with 75 per cent of primary schools noting a drop in language abilities due to reduced face-to-face play.
More than half of parents with children aged five to nine say their children now find it difficult to make friends due to low self-confidence.
This early trend extends into adolescence, with 45 per cent of children aged 10 to 15 reporting feelings of loneliness "often" or "some of the time".
Loneliness in childhood is linked to long-term health risks in adulthood, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.
A U.S. study found that social isolation can be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The BBC and Five Mile Films hope the series will not only raise awareness but also encourage conversations about friendship and inclusion, reminding viewers of all ages of the difference one friend can make.
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