ITV has commissioned a new “high octane” thriller about the murder of a British nuclear submarine crewmen from Bad Wolf, the production house set up by former Doctor Who producers Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner.
Based on J.S. Law’s novel of the same name, Tenacity sees disgraced military detective Danielle ‘Dan’ Lewis sent to investigate the death of a submariner.
When the case turns to murder it puts her in conflict with HMS Tenacity’s crew, her Navy superiors, and into the crosshairs of an assassin who has infiltrated her nuclear base with an agenda that will not only destroy national security but kill Dan and everyone she loves.
The series is being written by Peter A. Dowling, whose credits include Flightplan and Reasonable Doubt, and will be produced by Bad Wolf in partnership with Entertainment One.
ITV drama chief Polly Hill said: “Peter has written an incredible script with a brilliant and complex heroine leading an investigation that genuinely surprises.
“I am so delighted to be working with Bad Wolf and Entertainment One on this incredible drama, that promises to have an audience hooked from the start. We are excited to have this on ITV and think it will be addictive viewing.”
Dowling added: “I am thrilled to write Tenacity for ITV. Their ambition and enthusiasm for the project is hugely exciting and I can’t think of better collaborators to help bring Lieutenant Dan Lewis to life.”
Julie Gardner said: “Jane Tranter and I are delighted to be reunited with Polly Hill at ITV on our first Bad Wolf project together, alongside partners Entertainment One, and to be collaborating with Peter Dowling, a master of suspense, on his first UK television series.”
Commented Polly Williams, Head of Scripted Drama at Entertainment One, said: “We couldn’t have better partners on Tenacity than Julie and Bad Wolf as well as Pete whose scripts are brilliant.
“Producing and developing in the UK is so important to us at eOne and we love that this show combines a British perspective and voice with global reach and ambition.”
Tenacity will commence filming in 2020 with casting confirmed closer to production.