UKTV continues to expand its catalogue of original drama for leading crime drama channel, Alibi with the co-commission of Annika (6x60’) with US network Masterpiece (Roadkill, Downton Abbey). The six-part series is based on the hugely successful Radio 4 drama, written by Nick Walker and will see Olivier-award-winner Nicola Walker (The Split, Unforgotten) bring the leading character, DI Annika Strandhed, to screen. The series is produced by Black Camel Pictures for Alibi and All3Media International.
Annika follows the sharp, witty and enigmatic DI Annika Strandhed (Walker), as she heads up a new specialist Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) that is tasked with investigating the unexplained, brutal, and seemingly unfathomable murders that wash up in the waterways of Scotland. Throughout the series, Annika makes the audience her confidante by breaking the fourth wall and sharing her wry observations on the case and her life, as she manages her brilliant yet unconventional team, and her equally brilliant yet complex teenage daughter.
Nicola Walker said: “Annika navigates the world, her work and her home life in fabulously unique and unusual ways and I can’t wait to see her come to life in Scotland.”
UKTV Original series Annika has been commissioned by drama commissioner Philippa Collie Cousins with head of scripted Pete Thornton. The series is ordered by Alibi channel director Emma Ayech. Richard Watsham is director of commissioning for UKTV and Adrian Wills is genre general manager for drama and lifestyle.
The series is produced by Black Camel Pictures and executive producers are Arabella Page Croft and Kieran Parker, with funding support from Screen Scotland. Directing the six-part series are Philip John (The Good Karma Hospital, Downton Abbey) and Fiona Walton (London Kills, Waterloo Road).
Phillippa Collie Cousins, UKTV drama commissioner, said: “Our new detective series Annika is a breath of fresh air: a whip smart detective, great cases and the glorious Scottish scenery. Nicola Walker has been integral in helping us develop her character, creating a maverick female detective who not only has Norwegian ancestry, but is dryly funny, a chaotic parent and a fish out of water. We’re also really excited to have a diverse writer’s room with lead writer, Nick Walker and emerging talents, Frances Poet and Lucia Haynes.”
Emma Ayech, channel director for Alibi, added: “We’re so excited to bring Annika to life in a brand-new TV adaptation. Nicola Walker is a fantastic lead, making this series a brilliant addition to our growing portfolio of UKTV Original dramas on Alibi.”
Arabella Page Croft, co-founder of Black Camel Pictures, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to bring Nick Walker’s radio show Annika to life as a new marine homicide crime drama series. The show feels right at home in the cinematic landscape of Scotland’s dramatic lochs, rivers and seascapes. Fabulous Nicola Walker as Annika is already adored by audiences in Nick Walker’s hit radio series, so it’s a simply wonderful opportunity to bring this engaging, energetic show to a much wider audience with our broadcast partner Alibi and partners All3Media, Masterpiece and Screen Scotland.”
Further casting will be announced over the coming months, with the series due to air on Alibi in 2021.
Annika is the fourth UKTV Original for Alibi and joins a stellar line up of drama’s airing next year, including The Diplomat, from World Productions, and a second series of Traces, from Red Production Company, and We Hunt Together, produced by BBC Studios.
Background
About Alibi
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Alibi is the only TV channel dedicated to crime drama, investigating the best selection from the genre and premiering hit series from around the world such as Harrow, Waco and I Am The Night. Alibi stepped into UKTV Original crime drama series with guaranteed thrills, twists and turns including last year's hit Traces, starring Molly Windsor and Martin Compston and We Hunt Together starring Eve Myles and Babou Ceesay.
Now in its 13th series, Murdoch Mysteries has found a safe space on the channel while some of British TV's best-known detectives, including Miss Marple, enjoy a trip down memory lane. Hit British crime dramas including Death in Paradise, Father Brown and Silent Witness give the viewers another chance to catch their favourite shows.
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 25 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
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ABOUT BLACK CAMEL
Black Camel Pictures is a leading Scottish television, film and content creation company. The company are currently in production with Nick Walker’s 6 x 60’ drama series ANNIKA for UKTV’s Alibi and WGBH / PBS. THE BRILLIANT WORLD OF TOM GATES is in production for Sky Kids adapted from the best-selling book series by Liz Pichon. Feature films awaiting release are operatic rom com FALLING FOR FIGARO starring Joanna Lumley & Hugh Skinner and inter-rail comedy OFF THE RAILS starring Judi Dench, Kelly Preston and Sally Phillips. Psychological thriller REPRESSION with Peter Mullan and Thekla Reuten is now available on Amazon Prime now. Other credits include: UK hit musical SUNSHINE ON LEITH with Jane Horrocks and Peter Mullan, psychological thriller LEGACY with Idris Elba, BBC drama CASTLES IN THE SKY with Eddie Izzard and the action horror franchise OUTPOST 1,2 & 3
About Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. Sitting within Creative Scotland, it is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success. With funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. For further information please visit: screen.scot and follow @screenscots
Media Contact
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Phelps, Publicist, UKTV