ITV Dramatizes ‘Death at the White Hart’ by Chris Chibnall
ITV is adapting the debut novel of former Doctor Who and Broadchurch showrunner Chris Chibnall into a drama series.
Chibnall is set to pen the small-screen adaptation of Death at the White Hart. It will be published within two weeks.
The Dorset village Fleetcombe is the setting for Death at the White Hart, in which the pub landlord is murdered. Detective Nicola Bridge has to unravel a web of rivalries and lies in order to uncover the murderer. Chibnall’s novel is the first in a two-book deal for the UK and U.S.
Death at the White Hart, produced by Chibnall’s Imaginary Friends Productions and Death in Paradise producer Red Planet Pictures. ITV reported that Red Planet had secured the deal in a highly-competitive landscape. “Multiple offers for the rights were made by production companies and purchasers worldwide.”
Chibnall, who was the showrunner of Doctor Who before Russell T Davies, also created Broadchurch – one of ITV’s most popular series. Netflix is adapting Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery.
Polly Hill, ITV’s drama boss, commissioned Death at the White Hart. Chibnall stated: “Polly’s dynamic vote in Death At The White Hart was a no brainer to bring the novel on screen with ITV. This cliffhanger-packed mystery is a British tale about the way people live today. ITV is the best home for this show.
Fremantle will sell globally. Asacha owns Red Planet. Alex Jones, representing Red Planet and Raffaella de Angelis, who spearheaded the literary acquisitions for Fremantle, handled the deal rights for Death at the White Hart. Chibnall’s representation is by Cathy King, Eugenie Furniss and 42.
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