‘Playdate’: Disney+ Orders 5-Part UK Thriller Bases On Alex Dahl Novel
Disney+ has ordered ‘Playdate‘, a new five-part drama, produced by Quay Street Productions and Brightstar, and adapted by Catherine Moulton (“Baptiste”, “Hijack”) from Alex Dahl’s best-selling novel of the same name.
The tense thriller follows a seemingly ordinary decision that turns the world of Elisa, mum to two young kids, upside down… When her 9-year-old daughter Lucia excitedly asks to go on an overnight playdate with her new best friend Josie, Elisa agrees. After meeting Josie’s mother, Rebecca, she’s put at ease by her charming nature and their impressive house. But when she says goodnight to her daughter, she has no idea that she is about to be thrust into every parent’s worst nightmare.
The next day, when Elisa goes to pick up Lucia, she discovers that the beautiful house was a holiday rental. Lucia is missing. Rebecca and Josie have vanished. What started out as her daughter’s first sleepover has turned into an abduction.
As an urgent manhunt unfolds across Europe, Elisa and her husband Fred find themselves the object of police and public scrutiny. Elisa’s perfect family begins to unravel under the pressure, and long-buried secrets come to light. Rebecca took Lucia for a reason. And as viewers learn more about the tangled lives of these women we will wonder if Rebecca was justified in kidnapping the little girl – and whether she might be better off staying hidden.
Whilst there is no casting yet, the impressive team behind the drama will make it something worth keeping an eye on. The series is adapted by Catherine Moulton (“Baptiste”, “Hijack”), and directed by Eva Husson (“Mothering Sunday”, “Girls of the Sun”, “Hanna”). Nicola Shindler (“Nolly”, “Stay Close”, “It’s A Sin”) executive produces for Quay Street Productions, along with executive producers Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward for Brightstar (“Power of the Dog”, “Cold War”).
“‘Playdate’ is a brilliantly twisty thriller with a terrifying, instantly relatable hook,” said Johanna Devereaux, VP of Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA. “We are very proud to be working with celebrated producers Nicola Shindler, Tanya Seghatchian, and John Woodward, visionary director Eva Husson, and rising star writer Catherine Moulton on this must-see thriller.”
The series is executive produced by Nicola Shindler for Quay Street Productions (part of ITV Studios), Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward for Brightstar, Johanna Devereaux, VP of Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA, Alex Dahl, Eva Husson and Catherine Moulton. James Dean (‘Better’, ‘Liar’) will produce, alongside Eva Husson who will direct all episodes.
“Partnering with Quay Street and Disney+ we couldn’t be more delighted to move into production with director and executive producer, Eva Husson at the helm,” adds Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward, Brightstar. “Eva is a multiple Cannes Film Festival contender who is bringing her unique vision to the show and she is directing all episodes. Playdate is a very rare beast – a thriller that combines beautifully crafted edge-of-the-seat suspense with unexpected plot twists and truly powerful drama focused on these strong women who are intent on hiding their darkest secrets from the world.”
‘Playdate‘ will commence production in Summer 2023 in the UK and France. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
