Sky1 Adapting Mark Billingham Crime Novels

LONDON: Sky1 has announced the start of production on Thorne: Sleepyhead, alongside the commission of Thorne: Scaredy Cat, both of which are adaptations of Mark Billingham’s best-selling crime novels.

The Thorne series, centered on the character of detective inspector Tom Thorne, is part of Sky1’s multi-million pound HD drama investment fund. Principal photography started on Thorne: Sleepyhead today, while production on Thorne: Scaredy Cat will start in late April. Thorne: Sleepyhead will be directed by Stephen Hopkins (24, Californication, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers) from scripts adapted by Jim Keeble and Dudi Appleton (Trial & Retribution, Silent Witness). Sky1 will air the films as a six-part drama series in the fall.

Thorne: Sleepyhead and Thorne: Scaredy Cat are both Stagereel/Cité-Amérique co-productions for Sky1 in association with Movie Central, The Movie Network, 87 Films and Artists Studio. Both films will premiere on Sky1 HD and Sky1 before a worldwide theatrical release by ContentFilm.

Huw Kennair-Jones, the commissioning editor for drama at Sky1 HD and Sky1, commented: "We’re really excited to be bringing Mark Billingham’s iconic Tom Thorne to life here on Sky1 and it’s a testament to the ambitions of the channel that we’ve secured such a fantastic line up both on and off screen. The combination of Mark Billingham, Stephen Hopkins and an amazing cast headed by David Morrissey means that Thorne is going to be a brilliantly original detective series that’ll constantly astound and surprise the audience—it’s going to be incredible."

David Morrissey, who stars as Thorne, added: “I am delighted to be bringing Tom Thorne to the screen. Having been a fan of Mark Billingham’s books for years, it’s a great privilege to be able to play such an exciting character. I’m also chuffed to be reunited with Stephen Hopkins who is one of the best directors I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”

Billingham said: "I’m hugely excited to see the books brought to the screen by such an incredible array of talent on both sides of the camera. David Morrissey was always the actor I wanted to play Tom Thorne and the combination of David and the rest of the amazing cast, Stephen Hopkins and the team at Sky is more than any author could ask for."

Jolyon Symonds, producer for Stagereel Limited, said: “We’re thrilled to commence principal photography on this project—it’s been nearly two years since Mark and David joined forces with Jim and Dudi to start work on Sleepyhead, with the ongoing support of Sky. We’re all delighted with Stephen’s involvement and the level of international casting that we’ve been able to bring to the films. ContentFilm provides us with a genuine international presence so we hope we’ll be creating an enduring franchise.”