ITV receives Long Call from Silverprint

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has commissioned a four-part crime drama from ITV Studios label Silverprint Pictures.

Polly Hill

The Long Call is being adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name from writer Ann Cleeves, who created fellow ITV series Vera and Shetland. Des and Baptiste screenwriter Kelly Jones will write all four episodes in her first solo series.

The show centres on Detective Inspector Matthew Venn, who has returned to live in a small community in North Devon with his husband, 20 years after he left because he was rejected by his family.

ITV director of drama Polly Hill, who greenlit the series, said: “It’s very different from Vera, but I think audiences will take to DI Matthew Venn and this compelling story in the same way. Kelly has written a wonderful adaptation and this promises to be a really distinctive and original new crime series.”

Silverprint Pictures creative director Kate Bartlett (Flesh & Blood, Shetland, Vera, Dark Heart) is executive producing the series, with Angie Daniell (Vigil, Alex Rider, Clique) producing and Lee Haven Jones (Dr Who, Shetland, The Bay) directing.

ITV Studios will distribute The Long Call internationally.