BBC Studios & MultiChoice Studios Order Devil’s Peak Adaptation

BBC Studios and MultiChoice Studios have commissioned a five-part series adaptation of South African writer Deon Meyer’s novel Devil’s Peak.

The crime thriller centers on detective Benny Griessel, who is tasked with tracking down a righteous vigilante killer. His work intersects with a grieving father desperately seeking justice for the murder of his son and a trapped mother who is willing to do anything to achieve a better life for her daughter.

The series, written and created for television by Matthew Orton, will be directed by Jozua Malherbe (Griekwastad, Justice Served). Amy Jephta (Skemerdans, Barakat) has joined as writer and associate producer. The South African cast includes Hilton Pelser (Moffie, Glasshouse, Kissing Booth), Sisanda Henna (Trackers, Rogue) and Tarryn Wyngaard (Raised By Wolves, Stam, The Watch), as well as Shamilla Miller (Blood & Water, Troy: Fall of a City) and Masasa Mbangeni (The Republic, Scandal).

Devil’s Peak is being produced by Lookout Point and Expanded Media Productions. Executive producers are Orton; Laura Lankester for Lookout Point; Francis Hopkinson for Expanded Media; and Yolisa Phahle, Allan Sperling and Jan du Plessis for M-Net. Johann Knobel (Bad Sisters, The Shadow Line) is the producer.

The adaptation will deliver in 2023, with MultiChoice airing it on M-Net in South Africa and distributing in Sub-Saharan Africa and BBC Studios distributing in the rest of the world.

Meyer said: “Benny Griessel started his fictitious life as a humble, once-off cameo character, and never in my wildest dreams did I think he would one day be part of an international TV series. I am absolutely thrilled that this brilliant team of cast and crew will bring him and his story to life.”

Executive producer Hopkinson commented: “I am delighted that Expanded Media are collaborating with Lookout Point on this production and bringing Deon Meyer’s iconic character to life.”

Executive producer Lankester added: “Matthew Orton has created an exhilarating, propulsive, contemporary adaptation of Deon Meyer’s work, alongside Amy Jephta, one of South Africa’s foremost screen talents. With Jozua Malherbe directing and a brilliant South African cast on board, we are excited to bring the world of Benny Griessel to international audiences.”

Phahle, CEO of general entertainment and connected video at MultiChoice Group, said: “With the addition of Devil’s Peak, we’re proud to continue investing in the very best, well-produced premium local content. Not only is this an authentically South African story starring a South African cast, it is also filmed in our own backyard—benefiting several industries and economies beyond the television industry. Our most recent collaboration with Deon Meyer was Trackers, which was a huge hit with viewers and critics. We have no doubt that Devil’s Peak will resonate with audiences just as strongly.”