The forthcoming short-form service Quibi and World Productions, the producer of Bodyguard and Line of Duty, are teaming up to develop an adaptation of Harriet Tyce’s psychological thriller to series, Deadline has learned. It is believed that the ITV-owned Indie has hired a writer to write the twelve-part series.
Tyce’s psychological novel follows the barrister Alison Wood, who is working on her first criminal case. Alison has a nice family and a rising career and is working on her very first murder case. Unfortunately, things are not as they appear. In fact, Alison drinks and neglects her family. She is also having an affair with someone who likes to push boundaries. Alison’s client admits to stabbing her husband and wants to plead guilty. By saving this woman, Alison is also saving herself. However, someone knows Alison’s secrets and is not willing to stop until she has lost everything.
Author Tyce said “Not only are World Productions’ programmes second to none, they were also behind This Life, one of the inspirations behind Blood Orange, and this feels like the perfect fit. I’m incredibly excited to see how they develop the novel into a TV series, and can’t wait for the process to begin.”
“We’re delighted to be working on the adaptation of this exciting and provocative novel which is a heady mix of domestic dysfunction and legal drama taken to a totally thrilling and unexpected level, the producer at World Productions, Priscilla Parish said.
This project is Quibi’s first scripted development outside of the U.K. Even though the majority of Quibi’s commissions are expected to originate from North America, according to Katzenberg and Whitman, the short-form service will be international.
The Katzenberg and Whitman-led company has recently ordered two non-scripted shows from Britain. BBC studios is producing Fierce Queens, a wildlife series, while a Endemol Shine’s indie is working with Idris Elba on a car stunt show. Furthermore, Katzenberg has recently taken the Quibi project to the Banff World Media Festival in Canada, where Look Mom! Productions (backed by Blue Ant) is working on Doom Lands, an adult animated series.