UKTV finds Traces of new crime drama

UKTV is continuing its push into original drama by ordering a six-part crime thriller from Red Production Company, described as “Happy Valley meets Silent Witness.”

Amelia Bullmore

Traces, produced by Happy Valley prodco Red, comes from writer Amelia Bullmore (Scott & Bailey) and is based on an idea by best-selling UK crime writer Val McDermid. BBC Studios will handle worldwide distribution.

The series has been ordered by multi-channel operator UKTV’s drama commissioner Philippa Collie-Cousins with head of scripted Pete Thornton for its crime-skewing network Alibi.

Traces is described as a suspense-filled crime thriller set in Scotland and explores the world of the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science (SIFA) as its members attempt to uncover the truth about an unsolved murder case.

The central story follows Emma Hedges who joins SIFA as a lab assistant and signs up to an online course that teaches the principles of forensic science. She discovers the fictitious case study has a strikingly similar and shocking link to her past.

Nicola Shindler

Collie-Cousins said: “When the idea came over from Red, it genuinely made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The fantastic writing talent in Amelia Bullmore, coupled with Nicola Shindler and the team at Red, will make Alibi’s first ever drama commission something really quite special. With strong female characters, this is Happy Valley meets Silent Witness, a dark and exciting show that I can’t wait for us to get cracking on.”

Casting will be announced over the coming months, with the series due to air exclusively on Alibi in late 2019. The executive producers are Schindler, Collie-Cousins and BBC Studios’ Liam Keelan.

Traces is the latest scripted drama to be ordered by UKTV. W’s Women on the Verge debuted last year, while the Anna Paquin-led Flack debuts this month on the channel.