Acorn TV Commissions Original ‘London Kills’ From ‘Suspects’ Paul Marquess
SVOD service Acorn TV has ordered a London-set crime drama from Suspects creator Paul Marquess as it..
SVOD service Acorn TV has ordered a London-set crime drama from Suspects creator Paul Marquess as it ramps up the amount of original shows it commissions.
The digital platform has commissioned London Kills from Marquess’ production company PGMTV. The five-part drama, which will start production in May, will tell the story of a team of top murder detectives and will be shot like a documentary. Each episode will feature a different murder in addition to a serialized story involving the lead detective’s missing wife.
London Kills will launch in the winter. Written by Marquess, who also created iconic British soap Footballers’ Wives, along with Sarah-Louise Hawkins, Jake Riddell, Sally Tatchell and Claire Fryer, it will be distributed internationally by ZDF Enterprise.
It comes after Acorn TV ordered its first original, the second season of British crime drama Agatha Raisin as well as Australian co-production Sando.
Marquess said, “I’m delighted to be making London Kills for Acorn. I’m convinced that London is the perfect backdrop for a contemporary police series. Shane Murphy loved the idea from the first pitch – and he and his team have been brilliantly supportive throughout the process. With acutely drawn regular characters and a variety of compelling murder investigations – as well as an intriguing serial narrative running right through it – London Kills is shaping up to be a sharp, smart, timely procedural drama. We can’t wait to start shooting.”
Shane Murphy, Managing Director, Acorn Media Enterprises, added, “After announcing our first commission with Agatha Raisin, Series 2, Acorn Media Enterprises and Acorn TV are thrilled to not only commission another high-quality production but make London Kills our first straight-to-series commission and produce two seasons back-to-back. With its compelling, fast-paced scripts and the creativity of Paul Marquess, London Kills will make an excellent addition to Acorn TV’s rapidly growing Originals slate.”
