Channel 5 orders Soham murders drama
Channel 5 has commissioned three-part series Maxine, that will revisit the Soham murders through the eyes of Maxine Carr.
It is the channel’s first true-crime drama since the inception of its original drama slate in 2019.
Maxine (3 x 60”) will be produced by Clapperboard, Chalkboard’s scripted sister company, and will examine the investigation of school assistant Maxine Carr and her caretaker fiancé Ian Huntley, who was later imprisoned for the double murder of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
The series, written by Simon Tyrell, will explore their tumultuous relationship through Maxine’s perspective; why she lied for him and how she became public enemy No.1, as well as reflect the scale of the police investigation and subsequent media frenzy around the biggest manhunt ever seen in British history.
Mike Benson and Julie Ryan executive produce; Laura Way directs.
Benson said: “Few crimes have embedded themselves in the national psyche more than the tragic events of Soham in 2002. It was a case which was unique in recent history in terms of the sheer scale of the media coverage and how this affected and nearly derailed the investigation and subsequent trial. We will explore this within the drama alongside the role played by Maxine Carr – dubbed “The Most Hated Woman in Britain.”
The series will commence shooting on location in Ireland this year.
The new commission follows recent news Channel 5 has expanded its drama slate with two new productions: action thriller Desperate Measures (4 x 60”) and The Winter Child (4 x 60”), also from Clapperboard.
Also on The Knowledge
The Outlaws S2 filmed entirely in Bristol
Stephen Merchant’s comedy drama The Outlaws filmed Series 2 at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol and in various locations across the city, with the assistance of the Bristol Film Office.
Revenge thriller Borderland doubles Glasgow for London
As first confirmed on Production Intelligence, production has started in Glasgow on Sky Original revenge thriller Borderland, doubling the city for London.
The Ex-Wife doubles Budapest for London in Paramount+ drama
The Ex-Wife, a new drama for Paramount +, begins a six-week shoot in Budapest from 10 April, doubling the Hungarian capital for London.
C4 commissions Bridget Christie comedy drama
Channel 4 has greenlit The Change, a new comedy drama from writer/actor/comedian Bridget Christie, who will also executive produce.
Shooting wraps in Scotland on Good Omens 2
An 18-week shoot has just wrapped in Scotland on the second series of Good Omens for Amazon and the BBC, starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen.
Matthew Macfadyen films John Stonehouse drama for ITV
Matthew Macfadyen is filming a new ITV drama based on the life and times of disgraced Labour minister John Stonehouse. Keeley Hawes stars as his wife Barbara.