Free@Last TV Adapting David Nolan’s Manc Noir Novels

Free@Last TV has acquired the rights to adapt David Nolan’s trilogy of Manc noir novels, beginning with 2018’s Black Moss, for television.

The trilogy, set in and around Manchester, tells the story of a historic crime that has haunted a shamed television presenter for decades and his return to solve the mystery years later. Each of the books will be developed as a three-part series.

The trilogy is made up of Black Moss, The Mermaid’s Pool and The Ballad of Hanging Lees. The screen adaptation will be written by Stuart Wright (Lair, Samuel’s Travels), who brought the books to Free@Last TV.

“We are thrilled to be working with David Nolan to bring his Manc noir novels to life on the small screen,” said Barry Ryan, joint creative director at Free@Last TV. “David’s novels are a unique blend of crime, culture and character, and we are committed to staying true to the authenticity and intensity that make his work so compelling.”

Chris McVeigh, from publisher Fahrenheit Press, said, “This trilogy of books, set in and around Manchester, have captured the imagination of thousands of loyal readers over the last few years, and everyone at Fahrenheit has been very proud of the part we’ve played in helping to establish David Nolan as crime fiction’s undisputed King of Manc Noir. The huge enthusiasm Free@Last TV have shown for these books, alongside their formidable track record of bringing some of the U.K.’s best-loved books to the screen, convinced us they are the perfect partners to introduce these powerful stories to an even wider audience.”

“I am excited to see my characters and stories come to life through Free@Last TV’s adaptation,” Nolan added. “Their commitment to capturing the essence of Manc noir is truly inspiring, and I am confident that viewers will be taken on a thrilling ride through the streets of Manchester.”