Michael Hirst On Board New FME Racing Drama

LONDON: Award-winning screenwriter Michael Hirst, best known for his work on The Tudors, has signed up to pen the new FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) drama The Drivers.

The Drivers is set against the backdrop of the high-octane 24-hour motor race in Le Mans in the 1950s and ’60s. It is based on the book Shelby: The Man, the Cars, the Legend by Wallace A. Wyss and optioned from Iconografix. The series will tell the story of the wild young drivers from the U.S., Germany, France, Italy and the U.K.

Hirst’s credits include the acclaimed film Elizabeth, as well as the TV drama The Tudors, which he created, executive produced and wrote all 38 episodes of. He is also part of the new fantasy adventure series Camelot. Hirst will be attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans event this weekend as part of his ongoing research for the project.

Hirst commented: “The Drivers is a large-scale and challenging project that has huge appeal. I’m delighted to be working with production partners with an ambition to make world-class drama, and FME who are the global leaders in distribution.”

Scott Free Inc. was recently announced as co-producer of the program, alongside Headline Pictures and Sennet Entertainment. FME is funding the project.  

David Ellender, the global CEO of FME, said, “Our aim for The Drivers is to bring together the best in class of producers, writers, broadcasters, talent and more, and we’re ticking each of these boxes  one by one. Michael was our top choice and we’re delighted to be working with him alongside Scott Free, Headline and Sennet.”

Stewart Mackinnon, Headline’s CEO, added, “The Drivers‘ story and Michael’s unique skill as a writer gives us the opportunity to make a major series that competes with the very best international drama.”

Mark Sennet, the managing director of Sennet Entertainment, said, “Michael Hirst bringing his signature talent to The Drivers will paint an epic canvas filled with the unique characters from motor racing’s golden age.”