ITV has ordered an adaptation of ‘Death At The White Hart‘, the debut novel from ‘Broadchurch’ creator Chris Chibnall in advance of the book’s publication.
Polly Hill, ITV’s Director of Drama, and Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director, Media and Entertainment have greenlit a straight-to-series order for the drama from Chris Chibnall’s company Imaginary Friends Productions and leading drama producers, Red Planet Pictures.
“I am very excited to be working with Chris and Red Planet Pictures again and that ITV will be home to his wonderful debut novel, Death At The White Hart,” commented Polly Hill. “I think it’s a perfect partnership, and I know the adaptation with Chris at the helm, will make an unmissable drama. It’s all the more special for us that Chris returns to Dorset once again with this very British murder and wonderful new investigation team.”
‘Death At The White Hart’ is set in the Dorset village of Fleetcombe, where the village pub’s landlord is found murdered. Detective Nicola Bridge must unpick a web of lies and rivalries to unmask the killer. The novel is the first of a two-book deal in the UK and US.
Chris Chibnall is best known for creating and writing the multi-award-winning and hugely successful ‘Broadchurch’ which ran for three seasons on ITV, and also for his time as showrunner of ‘Doctor Who’. He is also working on an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s ‘The Seven Dials Mystery’ for Netflix.
“Polly’s dynamic vote of confidence in Death At The White Hart made it a no-brainer to bring the novel to the screen with ITV,” said Chibnall. “Within this cliffhanger-packed murder mystery sits a specifically British story about how people live their lives right now. There’s no better home for it than ITV.”
Red Planet Pictures secured the deal with Imaginary Friends to produce the series in a highly competitive landscape, with multiple offers for the rights from production companies and buyers worldwide. Red Planet Pictures’ Belinda Campbell will executive produce alongside Chris Chibnall who is also writing the adaptation, which will go into production next year.
“Death at The White Hart is a finely crafted and epically executed story with a host of unforgettable characters and story twists that lends itself so well to a TV drama that audiences will relish,” adds Belinda Campbell at Red Planet Pictures. “We are thrilled that Chris has chosen to work with us on bringing this brilliant book the screen.”
Penguin Michael Joseph is publishing the novel on 27 March 2025 in the UK, with Pamela Dorman books publishing in the USA on 10 June 2025. The book has also been sold in translation in the following territories: Czech (Host), Dutch (Xander), German (Piper), Greek (Pedio), Japanese (HarperCollins), Polish (Grupa Wydawnicza Filia), Portuguese (Porto Editora), and Ukrainian (Vivat).
“Death at the White Hart is already setting up to be one of the biggest new series of crime novels in years, and we’re over the moon to hear it will soon be appearing on screens too,” comments Joel Richardson, Editor at Penguin Michael Joseph. “Chris is one of the UK’s leading storytellers, and this is an irresistible story packed with dark secrets, unforgettable characters and a detective who is set to become iconic in the genre.”
‘Death At The White Hart‘ does not have a premiere date yet but will air on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player in the UK. Fremantle will distribute the series internationally. 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 they get a UK premiere date.
