A new revenge drama for BBC Two is edging closer to pre-production with an early autumn start to filming planned.

Paula is written by Irish playwright and director Conor McPherson as a 3 x 60 and comes from Cuba Pictures and BBC NI Drama.

The crime and relationship drama marks the writer”s first original TV series, and centres on a brief encounter that escalates into a violent quest for vengeance.

The executive producers are Nick Marston and Dixie Linder for Cuba Pictures (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell) and Stephen Wright for BBC NI Drama. Marston said at the time of the greenlight announcement: “We are delighted to be making this compelling and visceral thriller. Conor is an extraordinary writer and it is really exciting that he wants to create an original series for television.”

Production Intelligence subscribers can log in for details on the producer, casting director and line producer along with shoot dates.

Cuba Pictures is also developing McMafia, a hefty 8 x 60 for BBC One about organised crime based on the novel by Misha Glenny; more details on PI.

BBC NI Drama”s next project to begin filming will be the fourth series of the critically acclaimed police drama Line of Duty which begins principal photography at the end of next month. The team is also working on an adaptation of Willkie Collins” Woman in White, which is considerably further away in production terms.

For a free online demo of Production Intelligence, click here.