ITV preps drama with Durrells trio

MIPCOM: Three of the talents behind The Durrells, including star Keeley Hawes, have partnered with UK broadcaster ITV and Red Production Company for a new six-part drama.

Polly Hill

Finding Alice follows the title character’s journey of grief, love and life after her husband’s death sparks a storm of secrets, debt, suspicion and criminality that Alice is forced to confront in order to survive.

The series is created by Roger Goldby, Hawes and Simon Nye, who directed, starred in and wrote The Durrells, respectively. Hawes will play Alice.

Polly Hill, ITV’s head of drama, said: “This is a brilliant script – emotionally truthful and darkly funny. It’s about family and grief, and introduces us to the wonderfully original character of Alice. The show has been developed with Keeley Hawes. Alice was written for her and she is going to be unmissable in the role.”

Finding Alice is produced by Red Production Company (Years & Years) in association with Bright Pictures TV, Buddy Club Productions and Genial Productions. Red boss Nicola Shindler is an executive producer alongside Goldby, Nye and Hawes.

The drama will be produced by Margot Gavan Duffy (The Queen & I), with Goldby directing episodes one to three and Juliet May (Motherland) directing episodes four to six.

Goldby said: “I think there is something so particular and compelling about watching a strong female-led drama. We are so lucky to have Keeley playing Alice, she has an incredible depth of performance combined with a pitch-perfect instinct for comedy. Keeley will bring Alice to life beautifully to make Finding Alice heartfelt, moving and funny.”

StudioCanal will be responsible for the international distribution of the drama, which was announced at Mipcom in Cannes. Filming for Finding Alice will commence in January 2020.