Channel 4 tests Patience with adaptation of French crime drama Astrid & Raphaelle

Ella Maisy Purvis in Patience

UK public broadcaster Channel 4 has acquired an adaptation of French police crime drama Astrid & Raphaelle, with Eagle Eye Drama producing.

Eagle Eye has recently completed shooting in York and in Belgium on the six-part adaptation, which is called Patience and is being coproduced with Paris-based JLA Productions and Eagle Eye-owned Happy Duck Films of Belgium.

Starring Laura Fraser (Breaking Bad) and Ella Maisy Purvis (Malpractice), Patience follows a young autistic woman who works in the criminal records department of Yorkshire Police, cataloguing and filing the evidence produced during major cases. A self-taught criminologist with an instinctive eye for crime scenes and a passion for problem-solving, her unrecognised talent is spotted by a detective who opens a door into a whole new world.

All neurodivergent characters in the series will be played by neurodiverse actors, including the title role of Patience, said Eagle Eye.

Purvis, who plays Patience, said: “Audiences can look forward to an authentic representation of a young autistic woman that is written with nuance and detail, but also that challenges the norms of the neurotypical world.”

Ben Wadey, drama commissioning executive at Channel 4, added: “Patience is a captivating crime drama that not only delivers gripping mysteries, but also offers a unique and authentic perspective on neurodiversity,” adding that the show would offer viewers “a fresh take on the crime genre.”

Patience is directed by Maarten Moerkerke and exec produced by Eagle Eye CEO Walter Iuzzolino and chief creative officer Jo McGrath. Matt Baker (Hotel Portofino) heads up the writing team and is joined by Stephen Brady, Sarah Freethy and Daniella DeVinter, all of whom have personal experience relating to autism.

Beta Film holds the worldwide distribution rights to the series. The series will also launch on US pubcaster PBS.