UKTV commissions first drama

UKTV has commissioned its first original drama show for the broadcaster’s entertainment channel Watch.

Legion is a 10-part supernatural thriller and will be developed and produced by UK indie Red Planet Pictures, which is currently working on Caribbean detective drama Death in Paradise and thriller By Any Means for pubcaster BBC1.

The show follows a criminologist who fights the devil after being tricked into a deal to save his young daughter who has an inoperable brain tumour. It has been written by founder of Red Planet Pictures Tony Jordan.

UKTV’s director of commissioning, Jane Rogerson, added: “This is another bold move for UKTV in pushing forward with developing ambitious, talked about, original content.”

UKTV recently bolstered its commissioning output with its first original sitcom You, Me & Them due to air on comedy channel Gold next month. The BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive joint venture recently launched its owned dedicated drama channel, called simply Drama, but with acquired programming only.

A location for Legion is yet to be determined and coproduction partners are currently being sought.