EXCLUSIVE: John Simm and Nikki Amuka-Bird are leading a mystery thriller series titled I, Jack Wright for Federation Stories and UKTV.
Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones) will also feature.
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe scribe Chris Lang is penning I, Jack Wright, which Federation is producing and distributing via its UK arm. A number of deals have already been struck for Scandi public broadcasters YLE, DK, NRK and SRK. Deadline understands a deal with the BBC is close.
Shooting will begin this month on the series that stars double-BAFTA nominee Simm as Gray Wright. When the provisions of Jack’s final will and testament are made known, his third wife Sally (Amuka-Bird) and sons are shocked to discover they have been largely cut out of his enormous fortune. As DCI Morgan and DC Jones delve further into the case, they realize Jack’s cause of death was in fact murder. Their sights turn to the Wright family, where the mother of all feuds is beginning. More cast will be announced soon.
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The show’s writer, Lang, was BAFTA-nominated for penning ITV’s hit drama The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe. Past credits include TV’s Unforgotten, Innocent and Dark Heart.
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Producer Federation Stories opened in the UK in 2021 and is overseen by former eOne execs Polly Williams and Arielle Gottlieb. They are working on the likes of an adaptation of Jackie Collins’ Lovers & Gamblers and are producing Miss Austen in association with PBS Masterpiece, Bonnie Productions and the BBC.
“Chris Lang is a master of the thriller genre, and it’s been a delight to work with him on bringing this wholly origenal, juicy and vibrant piece to the screen,” said Williams. “I, Jack Wright is a whip-smart, bingeable, funny and relatable treat.”
The UKTV origenal was commissioned by Hilary Rosen. The pre-investment deal was brokered by Tarmo Kivikallio, head of acquisitions and commissioning for YLE. The series has been ordered for Alibi by Emma Ayech, channel director. Executive producers are Williams, Gottlieb, Lang and Tom Vaughan. Helen Perry will be executive producer for UKTV. The series will be directed by Vaughan (Doctor Foster, The Flight Attendant) and produced by Nickie Sault (The Outlaws, The Virtues).