ITV climbs Thirteen Steps

UK broadcaster ITV has commissioned Thirteen Steps Down, a two-part psychological thriller from the makers of Neverland and Treasure Island.

Treasure Island

Ireland’s Parallel Films will produce the miniseries, based on the novel by Ruth Rendell and adapted by Adrian Hodges (My Week With Marilyn, Primeval).

It will be produced by Neil Zeiger (Collision), with Alan Moloney (Treasure Island) and Mary Callery (The Clinic) exec producing and Marek Losey (DCI Banks) directing.

Filming is due to take place in London and Dublin for five weeks, beginning at the end of March.

The story surrounds a fitness machine repairman whose obsessions over an infamous serial killer and a local model threaten to turn him into a murderer.

Thirteen Steps Down was commissioned by Laura Mackie, ITV’s director of drama, and Steve November, head of continuing series.

“Ruth Rendell’s characterisations and plot weaving create irresistible stories for contemporary television dramas,” said Laura. “Adrian Hodges’ enthralling script perfectly captures the spine chilling and eerie suspense of Thirteen Steps Down.”