ITV has ordered ‘Adultery‘, a new “provocative love story”, written by Bafta winner Danny Brocklehurst (Brassic, Fool Me Once) and produced by Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen Studios.
Naturally authentic and bristling with passion, ‘Adultery’, focuses upon two ordinary families and messy complications. It introduces us to Tom’s 15-year-old daughter Jess who has found love with schoolmate Ollie, and they can’t take their hands off one another, as love’s young dream becomes all-consuming. When Tom meets Ollie’s Mum Beth in the most unexpected of circumstances, the two families’ lives are potentially turned upside down forever. Will Tom and Beth be able to control their desires, unlike their lovestruck teenagers?
The drama raises questions about class, grief and the effects of social media, as it takes the viewer on a rollercoaster story of passion, parenthood and peril, as our protagonists Tom and Beth embark upon a passionate and intense love affair that threatens to uproot their whole lives.
There’s a psychological equation. It says that ‘attraction plus an obstacle equals excitement’. But what happens if the attraction is too strong, if the obstacles are too great, what then? Do you threaten everything?
The six-part series is the creation of Bafta winner Danny Brocklehurst, who adapted Netflix’s global hit thriller ‘Fool Me Once’, co-created Sky’s ‘Brassic’, and has also written an array of television dramas including BBC’s ‘Ten Pound Poms’, ‘No Return’ (ITV), ‘Stay Close’ (Netflix), and ‘The Driver’ (BBC).
“This is a drama about passion and I’ve passionately wanted to write it for some time,” said creator Danny Brocklehurst. “I’m thrilled to be partnering with ITV and Poison Pen to bring audiences a show about how love and sex have the capacity to lift us to the highest highs and the lowest lows.
‘Adultery’ will be executive produced by Ben Stephenson, a former BBC Head of Drama responsible for commissioning Line of Duty, The Hollow Crown, Parade’s End, Call The Midwife, Last Tango In Halifax, Luther, Ripper Street, Sherlock, and The Syndicate amongst other drama titles during his tenure at the broadcaster. Preethi Mavahalli and Luke Woellhaf will also Executive Produce for Poison Pen alongside Danny Brocklehurst.
“Danny’s brilliant scripts will have an audience hooked into this adulterous story from the start,” commented Polly Hill, ITV’s Director of Drama who commissioned the drama. “At its heart though it’s about love and I’m excited to have an addictive love story on ITV, and to be working with Danny and Ben and the team at Poison Pen Studios.”
Poison Pen Studios was founded by Ben Stephenson and launched in January 2023 with the focus on producing high-end premium drama. Poison Pen Studios is part of ITV Studios with production bases in London and Los Angeles.
“I am so happy to be able announce this as our first commission for Poison Pen,” adds Stephenson. “Danny and Polly share our passion for popular, smart drama – is there anyone more in tune with the audience than these two? We are delighted to be collaborating together on this!”
‘Adultery‘ will begin filming in Manchester during 2025, and will air on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player. 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.
