ITV has commissioned a TV adaptation of the debut novel from Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall in advance of the book’s publication…
Polly Hill, ITV’s Director of Drama, and Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director, Media and Entertainment have greenlit a straight to series order of Death At The White Hart from Chris Chibnall’s company Imaginary Friends Productions.
ITV Director of Drama, Polly Hill:
“I am very excited to be working with Chris and Red Planet Pictures again and that ITV will be home to his wonderful debut novel, Death At The White Hart. I think it’s a perfect partnership, and I know the adaptation with Chris at the helm, will make an unmissable drama. It’s all the more special for us that Chris returns to Dorset once again with this very British murder and wonderful new investigation team.”
Red Planet Pictures secured the deal with Imaginary Friends to produce the series in a highly competitive landscape, with multiple offers for the rights from production companies and buyers worldwide. Red Planet Pictures’ Belinda Campbell will executive produce alongside Chris Chibnall who is also writing the adaptation, which will go into production next year.
The deal rights was handled by Alex Jones for Red Planet Pictures together with Raffaella De Angelis spearheading the literary acquisition for Fremantle. Chris Chibnall is represented by Cathy King and Eugenie Furniss at 42.
Chris Chibnall:
“Polly’s dynamic vote of confidence in Death At The White Hart made it a no-brainer to bring the novel to the screen with ITV. Within this cliffhanger-packed murder mystery sits a specifically British story about how people live their lives right now. There’s no better home for it than ITV.”
The story is set in the Dorset village of Fleetcombe, where the village pub’s landlord is found murdered. Detective Nicola Bridge must unpick a web of lies and rivalries to unmask the killer. The novel is the first of a two book deal in the UK and stateside.
Penguin Michael Joseph is publishing the novel on 27 March 2025 in the UK, with Pamela Dorman books publishing in the USA on 10 June 2025. The book has also been sold in translation in the following territories: Czech (Host), Dutch (Xander), German (Piper), Greek (Pedio), Japanese (HarperCollins), Polish (Grupa Wydawnicza Filia), Portuguese (Porto Editora), and Ukrainian (Vivat).
Chris Chibnall is best known for creating and writing the multi-award winning and hugely successful Broadchurch which ran for three seasons on ITV. His adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery is upcoming.
Belinda Campbell at Red Planet Pictures:
“Death at The White Hart is a finely crafted and epically executed story with a host of unforgettable characters and story twists that lends itself so well to a TV drama that audiences will relish. We are thrilled that Chris has chosen to work with us on bringing this brilliant book the screen.”
Death At The White Hart will air on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
