Banijay Rights to Rep Stonehouse Miniseries

The BBC has commissioned John Preston, the author of A Very English Scandal, to pen a three-part miniseries about a British MP who famously faked his own death, with Banijay Rights set to distribute.

Clearwood Films and Snowed-In Productions are making the miniseries about British MP John Stonehouse. In November 1974 he was assumed to have drowned or been killed by a shark after his clothes were found on a Miami beach. Stonehouse was actually en route to Australia to start a new life with his mistress.

Ellie Wood is exec producing the drama alongside Ruth Kenley-Letts. Wood previously collaborated with Preston on The Dig for Netflix.

Banijay Rights has a first-look development deal with Clearwood Films. Stonehouse is the first drama production to emerge from the partnership.

Wood said, “John has an exceptional tone and the ability to bring remarkable characters to life, and together, we hope to create a drama that will resonate with audiences worldwide.”

Preston added, “There has never been a more bizarre true-life story than that of John Stonehouse, who miraculously came back to life a month after his own ‘death’. I am thrilled to have the chance to dramatize a case that has fascinated me for as long as I can remember.”

Chris Stewart, commercial director at Banijay Rights, added, “Nothing creates scintillating drama quite like a true story and we can’t wait to see this infamous and fascinating tale brought to life by Ellie, John and the BBC.”