Shine cracks Code of a Killer

Shine International has acquired distribution rights to upcoming ITV drama Code of a Killer, about the invention and first use of DNA fingerprinting.

Code of a Killer comes from indie World Productions and was greenlit by UK broadcaster ITV last month.

The two-part drama tells the true story of Alec Jeffreys’ development of DNA fingerprinting in the 1980s and its first use by a police officer – played by David Threlfall – in solving a double murder.

James Strong, whose credits include Kudos Film & Television’s Broadchurch and US remake Gracepoint, is set to direct, with filming due to start in September.

In related news, Shine International – the distribution arm of a company potentially in line to be rolled together with Core Media and Endemol – has also picked up sales rights to factual series Rome: The World’s First Superpower.

The four-parter is a coproduction by 360 Production and GroupM Entertainment for the UK’s Channel 5.