UKTV Ties Up with Bodyguard Producer for New Drama

UKTV has commissioned The Diplomat, produced by World Productions (Bodyguard, Line of Duty), for its Alibi crime drama channel.

The six-part series follows Laura Simmonds and her Barcelona Consul colleague and friend Alba Ortiz as they fight to protect British nationals who find themselves in trouble in the Catalan city. Mixing the roles of lawyer, counselor and cop, Laura and Alba’s diplomatic skills are stretched to the limit by the stream of cases that walk through the Consul’s doors.

Casting and director will be announced over the coming months, with the series due to air exclusively on Alibi in 2021. Production will start when safely able to do so.

BBC Studios is handling distribution internationally.

UKTV’s drama commissioner, Philippa Collie Cousins, said: “Laura and Alba are contrasting professional working women dealing with murder, abductions and organized crime alongside managing their careers and love lives while avoiding diplomatic hierarchies and maintaining a tight friendship. It is The Good Wife meets Spooks for 2021, a feisty workplace drama set in Barcelona with cracking dialogue, abundant crime and a surprising series arc. Television to stay in for by the very talented Ben Richards. I am very excited to work with such an expert lead writer as Ben, but equally excited to add talented up and coming writers to the writing team.”

Alibi’s channel director, Emma Ayech, added: “The Diplomat draws back the curtain on the multi-layered world of a British consul—dealing with everything from a daily stream of distressed British nationals to international crime and political intrigue. Ben Richards has created a sharp, witty script with a warmth and lightness of touch that is perfect for Alibi. This series will add to Alibi’s growing slate of fresh and original crime drama.”

Simon Heath, executive producer at World Productions, said: “We’re delighted to be working for the first time with Philippa, Emma, the UKTV team and BBC Studios Distribution to bring to the screen Ben Richards’ smart and original take on Britain’s complicated relationship with Spain’s most visited city.”

BBC Studios; director of drama, Martin Rakusen, added: “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Simon, Ben and the team at World Productions on such a rich and exciting series. Our U.K. and international audiences expect us to launch distinctive, talent-led series and I’m excited that Richard, Philippa and I have found exactly that with The Diplomat.”