ITV commissions brand new drama Platform 7

ITV commissions brand new drama Platform 7 from Dancing Ledge Productions

Adapted by BAFTA and international emmy award-winning screenwriter Paula Milne from the bestselling novel by Louise Doughty

Platform 7 to premiere on ITVX

ITV’S Head of Drama, Polly Hill, has commissioned gripping psychological thriller, Platform 7, from international production company Dancing Ledge Productions (The Responder, The Salisbury Poisonings). 

The 4x60” series will be adapted by acclaimed and multi award-winning screenwriter Paula Milne (Him, The Politician’s Husband, White Heat) from the globally renowned bestselling novel of the same title by Louise Doughty. 

Platform 7 will be an ITVX premiere, exclusive to ITV’s new free streaming service, many months ahead of linear transmission on ITV main channel.

The drama is a haunting thriller following central character Lisa who, after witnessing a cataclysmic event on platform 7 of a railway station, finds her own fragmented memory jogged to reveal a connection between her own life and that of the event she has just witnessed. Supernatural elements combine with contemporary realism in this chilling drama. 

Polly Hill will oversee production of the drama from ITV’s perspective.

Commented Polly Hill:

"I'm thrilled to be working with Dancing Ledge Productions on the haunting thriller, Platform 7, an adaptation of Louise Doughty’s brilliant novel. It's edgy, fresh and engaging and is unlike anything we've commissioned before, as ITVX gives us the scope to break new ground with drama.  Paula Milne's scripts perfectly capture the novel's vibrant storytelling whilst addressing some important contemporary issues."

Dancing Ledge Productions, Managing Director, Chris Carey (The Responder, The Salisbury Poisonings), will executive produce the drama alongside the company’s CEO, Laurence Bowen (The Responder, The Salisbury Poisonings) and BAFTA winning executive producer Kate Triggs (A Very British Scandal, The Trial of Christine Keeler). The drama is produced by Rosalie Carew (Three Pines, Ackley Bridge) and will be directed by Sarah Walker (Warrior Nun, Get Even).

Recent television adaptations of Louise Doughty’s work include Apple Tree Yard and Crossfire which is also produced by Dancing Ledge Productions.

Platform 7 is adapted by one of the UK’s most accomplished screenwriters, Paula Milne. The multi award-winning screenwriter is best known for The Politician’s Wife, Him, White Heat and The Virgin Queen. 

Commented Paula Milne:

“This is no traditional ‘spooky’ ghost story.  It’s the tale of a ghost on a quest to discover who she was and the events that led to her untimely death.  Her story is a celebration of indignation versus passivity and truth versus lies.  While writing it from Louise Doughty’s astute and emotionally intelligent novel, I began to feel she’s the ghost in all of us; the unseen part of us when we find ourselves reflecting on the wisdom of our past decisions. Sometimes with regret, occasionally with rancour but more often with the complicated relish of what it means to be human.”

Dancing Ledge Productions is one of the UK’s leading production companies creating; bold, authored, award-winning drama and nurturing future generations of creative talent. Run by multi BAFTA award-winning CEO Laurence Bowen and Emmy award-winning Managing Director Chris Carey, the company’s most recent productions include: The Responder starring; Martin Freeman and The Salisbury Poisonings starring; Anne-Marie Duff, Annabel Scholey and Rafe Spall.

Executive producer and Managing Director of Dancing Ledge Productions, Chris Carey commented:

“We’re thrilled to be adapting Louise Doughty’s celebrated novel ‘Platform 7’ for television. The story weaves together themes of love and control in a truly original way. Part revenge story, part love story, part murder mystery this nail-biting drama forces us to consider whether we can truly know the people closest to us. With Paula Milne adapting and Sarah Walker directing, this is going to offer something truly unique.” 

Platform 7 will go into production later this year.  Details of casting will be released closer to filming commencing.

Fremantle will handle the international distribution of the drama.

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