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 and Red Planet Pictures.
Death At The White Hart will air on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
Fremantle will distribute the series internationally.
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.
Death At The Hart 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 US.
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 said: “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.”
ITV Director of Drama, Polly Hill said: “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.”
Belinda Campbell at Red Planet Pictures said: “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.”
Joel Richardson, Editor at Penguin Michael Joseph, said: “Death at the White Hart is already setting up to be one of the biggest new series of crime novels in years, and we’re over the moon to hear it will soon be appearing on screens too. Chris is one of the UK’s leading storytellers, and this is an irresistible story packed with dark secrets, unforgettable characters and a detective who is set to become iconic in the genre.”
Rebecca Dundon, SVP, Head of Scripted Commercial (Global Drama and Fremantle International) Fremantle, said: “With Chris Chibnall’s proven track record and ITV’s backing, we jumped at the chance to get on board with Death at the White Hart, a series that perfectly balances commercial appeal with rich, high-quality storytelling. Audiences everywhere are hungry for gripping mysteries with deep character intrigue, and this premium crime show will not disappoint.”
Jon Creamer
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