ITV has announced the commission of Jekyll & Hyde, a new action-adventure series written by The Fast Show‘s Charlie Higson.

Inspired by The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, the ten-part drama has a brief to “exude mystery, fantasy, horror and sci-fi”.

Set in 1930s London, Jekyll & Hyde will focus on “young, attractive, troubled hero” Robert Jekyll, the grandson of the original doctor, alongside spooky creatures, ghouls, zombies, werewolves and vampires.

Higson commented: “It’s an exciting challenge to take Stevenson’s work and use it as the basis for a new Jekyll & Hyde. 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.”

ITV’s Director of Drama, Steve November added: “Charlie’s vivid and compelling scripts cleverly introduce a brilliant set of characters to a new generation of viewers. We’re thrilled to be commissioning Jekyll & Hyde for a modern day audience.”

> Like Jekyll and Hyde on Facebook for all the latest news.

Directed by Colin Teague (Being Human), Jekyll & Hyde will begin filming in India in January, before moving to London in February. The shoot will continue until July.

The official synopsis reads: “At the heart of the drama is Robert Jekyll’s quest to discover his real identity, his true family history and the nature of his ‘curse’. One actor will play the lead role Jekyll transforming into Hyde in moments of extreme anger, stress and when his or the lives of others are threatened.

“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!  Throughout the series we will witness Jekyll wrestling with the dark, brooding personality of Hyde as he struggles to come to terms with his superhero alter ego.”

Are you looking forward to Jekyll & Hyde? Let us know below…