New Crime Thriller Payback for ITV, BritBox International

ITV has commissioned the six-part crime thriller Payback, produced by Jed Mercurio’s HTM Television, with BritBox International on board as co-production partner.

Payback follows Lexie Noble, played by Morven Christie (The Bay, The A Word, Ordeal by Innocence), as she becomes entangled in a police operation to topple a notorious crime lord, Cal Morris, played by Peter Mullan (Mum, Westworld, Cursed).

Mercurio will executive produce the series alongside Madonna Baptiste, Debbie O’Malley and Diederick Santer on behalf of BritBox International. O’Malley is also serving as writer.

Diederick Santer, chief creative officer for BritBox International, said: “When I read the first Payback script, I could just not put it down. Debbie has created a uniquely propulsive and exciting story full of vivid characters. This dynamic drama will have BritBox audiences all over the world on the edge of their seats, just as I was when I first read it. We’re thrilled to be working with Debbie, Morven and Jed, and with the teams at HTM and ITV.”

Polly Hill, ITV’s head of drama, said: “Payback is a brilliant thriller that questions how well you know your partner and as the secrets come out, asks who you can trust. Debbie has written compelling scripts that will keep the audience hooked and surprised. I’m delighted to be working with Morven Christie again and, of course, Jed Mercurio and Madonna Baptiste at HTM Television.”