Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall’s prodco Imaginary Friends will produce alongside Red Planet Pictures

Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall’s debut novel, Death at the White Hart, is to be adapted as an ITV drama.

Chibnall’s production company Imaginary Friends, that made Broadchurch, will produce alongside Death in Paradise indie Red Planet Pictures; the latter saw off multiple, international competitors for the TV rights.

When a pub landlord in the Dorset village of Fleetcombe is found murdered, local detective Nicola Bridge is tasked with finding the killer. Chibnall adapts his own novel, that is the first of a two-book deal in the UK and US. Penguin Michael Joseph is publishing the novel at the end of this month in the UK; it has also been sold in translation in multiple international territories.

Death at the White Hart is executive produced by Red Planet Pictures’ Belinda Campbell and Chibnall, with filming set to begin next year. The ITV1 and STV series was ordered by ITV head of drama Polly Hill and managing director of media and entertainment Kevin Lygo.

Chibnall commented: “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. 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.”

Hill added: “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. 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.”

Chibnall’s recent TV work includes the forthcoming Agatha Christie adaptation of The Seven Dials Mystery for Netflix, that filmed last summer.