Death in Paradise producer Red Planet Pictures secures rights to Clare Mackintosh crime novel

Fremantle-owned Red Planet Pictures has optioned It’s Not What You Think, the latest thriller from Clare Mackintosh, former police officer and author of seven Sunday Times bestselling novels, in advance of the book’s publication in March.

Clare Mackintosh

Toby Madden

Since her debut I Let You Go, Mackintosh’s novels have sold more than three million copies worldwide.

Kam Odedra is formally attached to adapt the series, having previously written on Hijack, Lupin and most recently the penultimate episode of Golden Globe nominated All Her Fault.

Red Planet secured the rights in a competitive auction, with multiple offers for the option from buyers worldwide. It’s Not What You Think is the first novel of Mackintosh’s to be published with HarperFiction since joining them last year.

The deal rights were handled by Alex Jones for Red Planet Pictures. Mackintosh is represented by Camilla Young and Sheila Crowley at Curtis Brown.

The news also comes on the back of Red Planet Pictures’ recent announcement of Tom Leggett’s appointment in the newly created role of creative director.

This year also sees two of the company’s new drama commissions go into production for ITV: the adaptation of Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall’s debut novel Death at the White Hart (a coproduction with Chibnall’s Imaginary Friends) and a new thriller which will be announced soon.