Britbox confirms more drama originals
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Britbox has announced a tranche of four original drama commissions including a six-parter that marks Irvine Welsh’s television debut.
Welsh has adapted his own novel Crime, alongside long-term writing partner Dean Cavanagh.
Set in Edinburgh and directed by James Strong, it is set to star Dougray Scott as Detective Inspector Ray Lennox, who is investigating the disappearance of a schoolgirl while battling his own personal demons.
Crime is produced by Buccaneer Media, Tony Wood and Scott. Executive producers are Welsh, Cavanagh, Strong and Richard Tulk-Hart.
Welsh said: “Delighted that BritBox have picked this up. Lennox is a compelling character for me, not so much a cop as a broken avenging angel. So don’t expect a run of the mill cop show, and nonces beware.”
New Regency Television and Scott Free are joining forces on The Beast Must Die, a five-part revenge thriller starring Jared Harris, Cush Jumbo and Nathaniel Parker. Based on the novel by Nicholas Blake (the pseudonym of Cecil Day-Lewis), the story centres on a grieving mother who infiltrates the life of the man whom she believes killed her son.
Dome Karukoski directs from Gaby Chiappe’s adaptation; Sarada McDermott produces. The executive producers are Ed Rubin and Emma Broughton for New Regency, Marina Brackenbury and David W Zucker for Scott Free, Nathaniel Parker and Chiappe.
Also on the slate is Magpie Murders, adapted from Anthony Horowitz’ best-seller. Also for delivery to Masterpiece on PBS, it comes from Eleventh Hour Films.
Magpie Murders revolves around Susan Ryeland, an editor who is given an unfinished manuscript of author Alan Conway’s latest novel, but has little idea it will change her life.
Jill Green of Eleventh Hour Films said, ”This is an extraordinary and distinctive drama. I don’t think there’s ever been a crime show like it with a strong female lead treading the line between reality and fiction as she fights to uncover the truth.”
Anthony Horowitz said, “Magpie Murders is my most successful novel and it wasn’t easy to adapt. But I think the result is a completely original drama that will delight and beguile audiences in equal measure.”
The fourth drama original among the tranche is the previously-announced A Spy Among Friends, a Cold War espionage thriller about KGB double agent Kim Philby and his friendship with M16 colleague Nicholas Elliott.
Based on the book by Ben Macintyre and starring Dominic West and Damian Lewis, it comes from ITV Studios and Sony Pictures Television.
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