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Billie Piper drama set for Sky

Former pop star Billie Piper has appeared in shows such as Doctor Who

Sky Atlantic in the UK has commissioned a drama series written by Emmy nominee Lucy Prebble (Succession, Enron) and co-created by actor Billie Piper (Doctor Who, Penny Dreadful).

Eight-part series I Hate Suzie will air on Sky Atlantic and streaming service Now TV in 2020 and will be produced by Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner’s UK- and LA-based prodco Bad Wolf.

Described as a bold, bracing and funny drama, it will see Piper play Suzie Pickles, a star on the wane who has her whole life upended when her phone is hacked and a photo of her emerges in an extremely compromising position.

The show has been commissioned by Zai Bennett, MD of content at Sky, and Cameron Roach, director of drama at Sky Studios. Liz Lewin is the commissioning editor for Sky and the series is executive produced by co-creators Prebble and Piper. Gardner is also an executive producer and Andrea Dewsbery is producing, both for Bad Wolf. Sky Vision will handle international distribution.

Piper said: “We feel we’ve created something timely and not for the faint-hearted. If you too suffer with anxiety, shame and compulsive lying but like a laugh, please tune in at some point.”

Roach added: “Following in the footsteps of Patrick Melrose, Save Me and Chernobyl, I Hate Suzie’s commission underlines our belief in backing truly original drama, and Sky Atlantic as the home for the most innovative storytelling and ideas.”

The commission comes after Sky recently committed to more than double its investment in original drama, comedy and documentary through Sky Studios, its commissioning and production arm.

Other forthcoming Sky originals include Temple, starring Mark Strong; Catherine the Great, starring Helen Mirren; and Code 404, starring Stephen Graham and Daniel Mays.

In related news, Sky1 has ordered an interview special in which adventurer Ant Middleton (SAS: Who Dares Wins) and former One Direction star Liam Payne travel to southern Africa. Ant Middleton & Liam Payne: Straight Talking will air in November and comes from Potato, part of ITV Studios.

The show has been commissioned by Bennett and Phil Edgar Jones, head of entertainment at Sky. Shirley Jones is the commissioning editor. For Potato, Phil Mount and Michael Kelpie are the show’s executive producers and Craig Pickles is the series director.

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