Rose Ayling-Ellis is set to star in Tuva (w/t) a six-part returning crime thriller based on the book Dark Pines by Will Dean. 

Red Planet Pictures is producing, having acquired the rights to Dean’s series of novels that centre on deaf investigative journalist Tuva Moodyson (Ayling-Ellis). 

Charlotte Jones, known for The Halcyon and Without You, is tasked with adapting the thriller; the series will be exec-produced by Belinda Campbell and Caroline Skinner for Red Planet Pictures, Jones and Ayling-Ellis. 

The drama relocates the action from Sweden to Scotland. Moving back to her hometown, Tuva finds herself working on a small-time local paper, desperate for a headline-breaking scoop. Her chance comes when a serial killer who has not murdered for two decades suddenly begins to kill again, and Tuva’s career-making story beckons… 

Skinner said: “Will’s Tuva Moodyson novels are atmospheric, bold and riveting, and as soon as we read Dark Pines, we knew we wanted to develop it for screen. In Charlotte’s thrilling adaptation, Tuva jumps off the page as a true original, and nobody could capture her drive, determination, intensity and warm humour better than Rose – we are beyond thrilled she is on board to bring this iconic leading character to life.”   

Charlotte Jones said: “Will’s Tuva Moodyson mysteries are a delicious combination of darkly comic characters, heart-pounding tension and thrillingly unexpected outcomes. What drew me to them above all was the thoroughly modern character of Tuva herself. Not since Saga in The Bridge has there been such a compelling and unique heroine. I’m delighted that the bold and brilliant Rose Ayling-Ellis has agreed to bring Tuva to life in all her spiky, funny, messy glory.”

Red Planet Pictures has a busy development slate, with dramas including Megan Hunter‘s The Harpy, Antony Johnston’s The Exphoria Code and Ryan Calais Cameron’s adaptation of Mike Phillips’ Blood Rights.