West Road Pictures making contemporary reimagining of the iconic detective series

BritBox is reimagining the iconic British detective series Dalziel and Pascoe, with ITV boarding as a UK partner.

Based on the books by Reginald Hill, the series centres on the partnership between seasoned detective Dalziel and newly qualified DS Pascoe who despite their clashing methods work together to form a formidable partnership.

The six-part adaptation will be penned by Dept. Q scribe Colette Kane, who is lead writer and executive producer for the drama and co-created with Daisy Martey. It is the fifth drama series from Ridley producer, All3Media’s West Road Pictures.

As the UK partner for the BritBox commission, ITV’s director of drama Polly Hill and head of scripted comedy Nana Hughes have worked with BritBox on the series, with Hughes overseeing the production of the series on behalf of ITV.

Hill’s Yorkshire-set books first came to TV in 1994, when comedians Gareth Hale and Norman Pace took on straight roles for a three-part ITV adaptation of the fifth of Hill’s 23 Dalziel and Pascoe novels, A Pinch of Snuff.

It then became a BBC1 returning series starring Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan in the title roles. It ran for 61 episodes across 11 series between 1996 and 2007.

“It’s a genuine privilege to bring Reginald Hill’s much-loved Dalziel and Pascoe back to the screen for a new audience,” said Hughes. “At the heart of this series is the enduring, unexpected chemistry between two very different detectives, and we’re excited to explore that new dynamic.”

This reimagining was commissioned for BritBox, with Jon Farrar, Stephen Nye and Lucie Wolfman as executive producers.

It will be directed by Isher Sahota (Run Away) and produced by Juliet Charlesworth (Happy Valley). The executive producers for West Road Pictures are Jonathan Fisher, Ellie Birnie and Ingrid Goodwin.

All3Media International will be responsible for the wider global distribution of the drama and will act as the drama’s global partner.

Dalziel and Pascoe will begin filming in the spring in the North of England. The series will air on ITV and STV and stream on BritBox in the US and Canada.

Casting will be announced in due course.