ITV has ordered a new two-part drama set during World War II titled Murder On The Home Front. The drama is loosely based on the memoires of Molly Lefebure, the secretary to Home Office pathologist Keith Simpson during World War II, and is being produced by NBCUniversal’s Carnival Fims. The script was written by Davy Kane, Geoffrey Sax is directing with Gareth Neame and Sally Woodward Gentle serving as executive producers. Production is currently underway with ITV1 eyeing a 2013 premiere.
Murder On The Home Front is set in the 1940’s during the London Blitz and tell the untold story of crime in London during the Second World War. As the Luftwaffe drop their bombs, below people are literally getting away with murder. Dr Lennox Collins, a pathologist new to murder cases, is paired with Molly Cooper (Tamzin Merchant), the very first female secretary to a pathologist. When together they discover a serial killer at large under cover of the Blitz, Lennoxhas his work cut out convincing his unsympathetic boss to have faith in his methods and theories. The novel approach of preserving a crime scene, treating every bit of physical evidence as the key to a break-through and not just relying on intuition, may help Lennox and Molly convince DI Freddie Wilkins that they are about to hang the wrong man. The two-part drama stars Patrick Kennedy (Boardwalk Empire), Tamzin Merchant (The Tudors), James Fleet (The Vicar of Dibley), Emerald Fennell (Any Human Heart) and David Sturzaker (Doctors).
Speaking of Murder On The Hone Front, Laura Mackie, ITV’s Director of Drama, said: “We’re delighted to commission Murder on the Homefront to add to ITV’s portfolio of new drama. Davy Kane’s script shines a compelling light on early forensic investigations set against the backdrop of the Blitz.”
While executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle added, “With Geoffrey Sax directing Davy Kane’s witty and fast paced script we hope to depict London in the Blitz as a city living life on the edge.”
