BritBox announces first global commission, Murder in Provence

Starring Roger Allam (Endeavour, The Thick of It), Nancy Carroll (The Crown, Father Brown) and Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman), and based on the books by ML Longworth, Murder in Provence follows Antoine Verlaque (Allam), Investigating Judge in Aix-en-Provence, and romantic partner Marine Bonnet (Carroll) as they investigate the murders, mysteries and dark underbelly of their idyllic home. Their efforts are aided by Hélène (Settle), a detective and Antoine’s trusted confidante. [The picture above is of the city of Avignon]

The series is being adapted for the screen by renowned playwright Shelagh Stephenson (Shirley, Before You Go, Downton Abbey), directed by Chloe Thomas (The Deceived, Harlots, Victoria) and produced by Grainne Marmion (Harlots, Doctor Foster). Executive Producers are Debra Hayward, Alison Owen and Alison Carpenter. Stephenson and Allam also serve as Executive Producers.

The series, which is due to go into production in the UK and France in July, marks the first global collaboration between BritBox UK and BritBox North America. The series will debut exclusively on the streamers in 2022.

As well as several other pieces, ML Longworth (Mary Lou) has written several novels set in Provence, where he has herself lived since 1997. Her blog gives details on her life and the novels. The proposed series of Murder in Provence is three episodes (each at 90 minutes), so plenty of opportunity for further series. The latest ML Longworth novel, The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral, was released this April past.