BlackBox Working on Period Crime Drama

BlackBox Multimedia is partnering with Janet Montgomery (New Amsterdam, This Is Us) and Tricia Small (Salem, Mothers and Daughters) to develop the crime drama series Aqua Tofana.

Set in 17th-century Italy and based on a true story, Aqua Tofana is a female-led crime drama about three generations of women from the same family who were collectively responsible for the deaths of over 600 men.

Montgomery and Small are attached as co-creators and executive producers. The series will be written by Dracula creator Cole Haddon.

Montgomery said: “We stumbled across this true story while living together during the Covid lockdown and, after digging deeper into it, our perception of women in history changed. These women didn’t wait to be given power; they boldly took it. We were instantly entranced and knew we had to bring this unbelievable tale to the screen for a modern audience. We’re thrilled to join forces with Cole and BlackBox on this exciting endeavor.”

Giuliano Papadia, CEO and creative director at BlackBox Multimedia, said: “The original legend of Aqua Tofana really is stranger than fiction, and when we first spoke to Tricia and Janet about the idea, we realized that it combined our favorite ingredients here at BlackBox: an epic tale told through an intimate lens. And what could be better than also having the unique voice of Cole Haddon on board to tell it? With a fantastic creative team of on-screen and offscreen talent, Aqua Tofana has all the makings of a classic series, and we can’t wait to introduce audiences to this criminal empire.”

Cole Haddon, co-creator and writer, said: “I have long hoped to write a crime epic. I just couldn’t find a story that felt not only original and exciting but also necessary. When I was pitched Aqua Tofana, I immediately recognized it as everything I was searching for. These three generations of women engaged in a deadly—and immensely lucrative—war with a power structure that told them they had no value beyond bearing children. It’s horrifying how much of their story is still relevant today. I’m ecstatic to be collaborating with Janet and Tricia and my good friends at BlackBox on this remarkable story.”