BBC Buys BritBox International’s ‘Lynley’ Series As Elizabeth George Adaptation Rounds Out Cast & Rolls Cameras

The BBC has picked up BritBox International’s Lynley adaptation, with BritBox unveiling first-look image, rounding out cast and rolling cameras.

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Deadline revealed the adaptation of the hit Elizabeth George novels several months back starring Leo Suter as the eponymous lead and Sofia Barclay as DS Barbara Havers. At that point, the BBC was in talks to acquire the show, which have now completed. The series will premiere on BritBox in the U.S. and Canada and on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, with a tentative 2025 air date. It is produced by All Creatures Great and Small maker Playground.

Rounding out the cast of Lynley are Daniel Mays, Niamh Walsh, Michael Workeye and Joshua Sher, while cameras have started rolling in Ireland.

The new version is being penned by Sherlock writer Steve Thompson and directed by Ed Bazalgette. The show pairs an aristocratic police detective and a maverick sergeant from a working class background. Together, the mismatched duo become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done, while the series tackles issues around personality, gender and class.

A previous BBC version, starring Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small, aired for six seasons from 2001 to 2008. That show was well-rated and a petition was launched to save it when it was axed. It is currently available on BritBox in the U.S. and other markets.

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Robert Schildhouse, President North America and GM BritBox International, said: “Fueled by best-selling IP and the creative genius of Steve Thompson, Colin Callender and the team at Playground, Lynley is sure to be a hit with BritBox viewers. We look forward to bringing this polished, sharp take on an iconic series to the screen for devoted and soon-to-be fans.”

Created, written and executive produced by Thompson ( Vienna Blood, Sherlock ), Bazalgette ( Marie Antoinette S2, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die ) serves as lead director with Suzanne McAuley ( Magpie Murders, Love/Hate ) as series producer. David Stern and Colin Callender are executive producers for Playground with Schildhouse, Stephen Nye, Jon Farrar and Jess O’ Riordan executive producers for BritBox, Kate Woods executive producer for BBC Studios and Sue Deeks as executive producer for the BBC. BBC Studios is deficit financing and selling.

Playground is having a good week, with Deadline revealing yesterday that its Channel 5 series The Hardacres has sold globally including to BritBox.

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