ITV has commissioned a ten-part “action adventure drama” based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Written by Charlie Higson and set in the 1930’s, Jekyll & Hyde will focus on the young, attractive, troubled hero, Robert Jekyll, the grandson of the original doctor.
ITV says the drama’s “heart” is Jekyll’s quest to discover his real identity, his true family history and the nature of his ‘curse’.
Higson’s Jekyll is a young, sensitive and naïve man of intellect and morality, a well meaning if slightly repressed character who slips between his two personas unwillingly.
Hyde is a totally different person; a superhero with super powers, great strength, speed and invulnerability. He is confident, risk-taking and lives life on the edge. His self-destructive nature gets him into trouble, and yet he is an incredibly powerful force.
He is a man of action who gets things done despite the consequences!
In the opening episode Jekyll is a newly qualified doctor living with his foster parents in India. He knows nothing of his family history or his inherited condition, which his foster father, Dr Vishal Najaran, is controlling with medication.
The drama follows his path to discovery, which coincides with the transformative powers of his condition growing stronger and more disruptive. His journey will take him into a dark and unforgiving place, as his alter ego seems capable of anything. At the same time there are shadowy forces trying to find Jekyll and the source of his powers.
Jekyll & Hyde will be directed by Colin Teague (Being Human, The Town, Sinbad) with production in India commencing in January 2015 and filming in London from February until July 2015.
“It’s an exciting challenge to take Stevenson’s work and use it as the basis for a new Jekyll & Hyde,” said Higson.
“So many superheroes with secret dual personalities have been brought to life thanks to Jekyll & Hyde. He’s one of literatures most important and influential characters and it’s a privilege to be rediscovering him.”
Jekyll & Hyde has been commissioned by ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November and Head of Drama Series, Jane Hudson.
“Charlie’s vivid and compelling scripts cleverly introduce a brilliant set of characters to a new generation of viewers,” said November. We’re thrilled to be commissioning Jekyll & Hyde for a modern day audience, “he added.
