Spooks and Hustle writer Tony Jordan has created a new 10-part series for UKTV’s flagship entertainment channel, Watch.
Legion is the channel’s first original drama commission and will be produced by Jordan’s Red Planet Pictures.
Announcing the series, Jordan revealed it would follow criminologist Nathan Jones who, after learning the devastating news that his 10 year old daughter has an inoperable brain tumour, scours the globe in search of a possible treatment.
His desperate quest for a cure brings him to the very edge of humanity, forcing him into one last throw of the dice, making a deal with the Devil to save the life of his child.
When Nathan realises that he’s been tricked, he undertakes to renegotiate his contract by fighting the Devil’s work on earth wherever he finds it, ultimately leading him to a startling discovery – a revelation which will change the world as we know it forever…
Production will commence once UKTV and Red Planet to secure further production partners and confirm a location for the series.
Jordan described the series as his “ultimate passion project” and revealed the idea for the series “has sat in my bottom drawer just waiting for the right time and place for this story to be told.”
He added: “UKTV share my passion for storytelling and have been brave enough to take a chance on it for their first ever original drama! I know that something as ambitious and bold as Legion is a risky commission for Watch, but I’m so excited and honoured that they are not just cautiously dipping their toe in the UK drama pool with us; they are diving in head first!”
UKTV’s Director of Commissioning, Jane Rogerson, said: “Tony is a master of his craft, with an incredible ability to interlace intricate plot details with a compelling and absorbing story arc.
“I’m personally delighted that we are recognising our drama aspirations with Tony and the Red Planet team and this is another bold move for UKTV in pushing forward with developing ambitious, talked about, original content.”