Four new dramas for ITV
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Polly Hill, recently-appointed head of drama at ITV, has consolidated her new tenure with four new commissions.
Girlfriends marks a return to ITV for writer/director Kay Mellor, whose most recent shows such as The Syndicate and In the Club have been for BBC One.
Her new six-part offering for the commercial broadcaster centres on three women, each dealing with major life crises, and will film next summer in York, Leeds and Harrogate.
Mellor’s company Rollem Productions is making the series. She will also direct, working alongside her producer daughter Yvonne Francas.
Also among the new commissions is Trauma, the latest drama from Doctor Foster writer Mike Bartlett. Set in the trauma department of a central London hospital, the three-parter explores the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage patient under the care of a top consultant.
The series marks the debut for Tall Story Pictures, the newly-founded ITV Studios company set up by Francis Hopkinson and Catherine Oldfield, both of whom will executive produce. A London-based shoot will get underway early next summer.
Busy shingle Mammoth Screen is behind another of the dramas. Husband and wife writing team Paul Rutman (Indian Summers) and Natasha Narayan have penned Next of Kin, a contemporary family thriller in six episodes.
When the brother of psychologist Mona Mirza is killed, past family secrets are uncovered as Mona becomes embroiled in betrayal, conspiracy and murder.
Mammoth Screen’s Preethi Mavahalli exec produces alongside Damien Timmer.
The final production on the slate is White Dragon, from screenwriting newcomers Mark Denton and Jonny Stockwood.
The ambitious eight-part series thriller is due to film in Asia in autumn 2017, and centres on Professor Jonah Murray, whose life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a car crash in Hong Kong. When he flies out to identify the body, he is drawn into a web of conspiracy and finds himself battling to uncover the truth surrounding her death.
Two Brothers Pictures, founded by Harry and Jack Williams, is making the show; the company is currently busy prepping Liar, also for ITV.
Hill, who arrived at the channel in April, said of the raft of commisions: “I'm delighted to have commissioned four outstanding new dramas for ITV. All four are authored contemporary pieces, from wonderful writers who have a compelling story to tell.”
PI subscribers should follow theae producitons on our site from 14th October, as we will return with regular updates as more names and dates are confirmed.
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