ITV engages in Adultery with screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst and Poison Pen Studios
UK commercial broadcaster ITV has commissioned relationship drama Adultery from screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst and produced by Ben Stephenson’s transatlantic indie Poison Pen Studios.
Polly Hill
The six-part series is the creation of Bafta winner Brocklehurst, who adapted thriller Fool Me Once, co-created Brassic and has also written television dramas including Ten Pound Poms, No Return, Stay Close and The Driver.
Adultery will air on ITV1 and STV and be made available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
The plot follows the parents of two teenage sweethearts who unexpectedly develop an intense attraction to each other.
Brocklehurst: said: “This is a drama about passion, and I’ve passionately wanted to write it for some time. I’m thrilled to be partnering with ITV and Poison Pen to bring audiences a show about how love and sex have the capacity to lift us to the highest highs and the lowest lows.”
Adultery will be executive produced by Ben Stephenson, a former BBC head of drama responsible for commissioning Line of Duty, The Hollow Crown, Parade’s End, Call The Midwife, Last Tango In Halifax, Luther, Ripper Street, Sherlock and The Syndicate, amongst other dramas, during his tenure at the broadcaster.
Preethi Mavahalli and Luke Woellhaf will also exec produce for Poison Pen alongside Brocklehurst.
Poison Pen Studios was founded by Stephenson and launched in January 2023 with the focus on producing high-end premium drama. Poison Pen Studios is part of ITV Studios with production bases in London and Los Angeles.
Adultery will begin filming in Manchester during 2025, with details of casting and key production personnel yet to be announced. The series is being produced in association with ITV Studios, which will also distribute it internationally.
The series was commissioned by Polly Hill, director of drama at ITV, who said: “Danny’s brilliant scripts will have an audience hooked into this adulterous story from the start. At its heart, though, it’s about love and I’m excited to have an addictive love story on ITV, and to be working with Danny and Ben and the team at Poison Pen Studios.”
