Keeley Hawes to Star in & Produce New ITV Drama

ITV has commissioned the new two-part drama Honour, which will star Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard).

Hawes will play the real-life detective who brought five killers to justice in the true story of Banaz Mahmod, the young Londoner murdered by her own family for falling in love with the wrong man. Honour is written by Gwyneth Hughes (Vanity Fair, Dark Angel, Remember Me).

Richard Laxton (Mrs Wilson, Burton and Taylor, An Englishman in New York) will direct both episodes and Alliea Nazar will produce. Liza Marshall, Gwyneth Hughes, Peter Kosminsky and Hawes will executive produce, and the drama will be made in association with Hawes’ company Buddy Club.

ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, said: “Gwyn’s scripts beautifully and sensitively tell the story of DCI Caroline Goode’s investigation into the tragic murder of Banaz Mahmod. I am proud to work with Liza and Hera Pictures, to bring this important story to screen on ITV.”

Commented Marshall: “At Hera Pictures we are committed to telling stories about remarkable women, so I feel privileged to bring Gwyneth’s sensitive and skillful script to screen and to shine a light on the bravery of Banaz and Caroline’s dedication to achieving justice for her. I am delighted that Polly and the team at ITV share our passion for this story and we couldn’t have hoped for a better actress than Keeley to take on this role.”

Said Hughes: “Banaz Mahmod met her brutish death on the orders of her own father and uncle, which I find profoundly unsettling. That this story is ultimately so uplifting is down to the sheer heroism and dedication of the police officers who hunted down her killers. Caroline Goode and her team felt real love for this girl they’d never met. I found their unusual warmth and humanity deeply moving.”

Hawes added: “It is a privilege to be working on Honour as Buddy Club’s first ever project. In a time where honor killings are still rife, it is critical to shine a light on such an important subject. Banaz Mahmod’s story, and DCI Goode’s subsequent investigation, is certainly one that needs to be told and I am proud to be a part of it.”