UKTV’s Alibi Creates First Original Drama, ‘Traces’, From Val McDermid
UKTV channel Alibi might be best known for importing crime dramas from the US and around the world, but today they have announced they will produce their first original drama, titled ‘Traces‘, based on an original idea by best-selling crime writer Val McDermid.
‘Traces’ is a suspense-filled crime thriller told from a fresh point of view, where forensic science takes centre stage. Set in Scotland and exploring the world of SIFA, the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science, Traces introduces us to three compelling and very different female characters – Emma Hedges, Prof. Sarah Gordon and Prof. Kathy Torrance – who together will use the rigors of forensics to uncover the truth about an unsolved murder case.
When 23-year-old Emma Hedges returns to Scotland to take up a new position as a lab assistant at SIFA, she signs up to a MOOC – Massive Online Open Course – which teaches the principles of forensic science. But she soon discovers that the fictitious case study has a strikingly similar and shocking link to her past. As Emma’s sleuthing takes her into darker corners and unpicks more and more secrets, it becomes clear that she should trust no-one. It will be Sarah and Kathy’s exacting minds that reward Emma’s faith in the science that has fuelled her imagination and who will ultimately bring a killer to justice.
Running alongside Emma’s central story, other cases and different forensic disciplines will shine a spotlight on science’s contribution to solving the mysteries of human existence.
The six-part series, is written by Amelia Bullmore (‘Scott & Bailey’, ‘This Life’) and produced by RED Production Company (‘Safe’, ‘Butterfly’, ‘Happy Valley’), for UKTV and BBC Studios Distribution.
“When the idea came over from RED it genuinely made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up,” commented UKTV drama commissioner Philippa Collie Cousins. 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 ‘Traces‘ due to air exclusively on Alibi in late 2019.
