The story of Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb is to be turned into a major new ITV drama.
Written by Guy Burt, the four-part series will focus on the legendary personal story of Carter, a solitary man on the edge of society who became an iconic figure and an unlikely hero when he made one of archaeology’s most important finds.
Casting for the series, which is to be shot in South Africa this winter and early next year, will be announced “in the coming months.”
“Howard Carter’s discovery of the lost tomb of Tutankhamun is legendary,” said Francis Hopkinson, Creative Director of Drama at ITV Studios which is making the drama for ITV 1.
“His all-consuming, obsessive search for the tomb pushed his friendship with Lord Carnarvon to the brink, whilst the adventurous and extrovert aristocrat poured his inheritance into the excavation.”
“Tutankhamun is a story of epic proportions,” said Steve November, ITV Director of Drama. “Against the backdrop of World War One, conflict, murder, corruption, romance and the unlikeliest of friendships, Tutankhamun sees Howard Carter’s determination pay off in spectacular style when he discovers one of the greatest archaeological treasures of the modern world.”