111 Pictures Options Jeffrey Archer Novel

LONDON, October 13: A mini-series based on Jeffrey Archer’s
novel A Prisoner of Birth is in the
works by 111 Pictures, with Mikael Salomon set to direct the production.

111 Pictures, a production and distribution company led by
Alki David, has optioned the TV rights to the novel, a number one bestseller in
17 countries. Salomon, whose credits include The Andromeda Strain and The Company, is directing the new mini-series. It tells the story of Danny
Cartwright and Spencer Craig, whose lives cross one night with disastrous
results. Danny, a garage mechanic, is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit as
a result of the testimony of Spencer, an ambitious barrister.

Alki David, the chairman and CEO of 111 Pictures whose
recent acting credits include The Bank Job,
will play Spencer. Additional casting announcements will be made in the coming
weeks as 111 Pictures prepares for a spring 2009 start date in London.

David stated: “Jeffrey Archer’s A Prisoner of Birth is ideally suited for a mini-series format. There is
no doubt this will be one of the top new series for next year. With a slew of
number one bestsellers to his credit, Jeffrey has a loyal following and a
built-in fan base that will be pleased to see a series that is true to the
novel. We can’t wait to move forward on this exciting project.”

—By Mansha Daswani