Channel 4 has given the green-light to a new period drama series set in the final years of British rule in India titled Indian Summers. The drama series, which hails from Vera scribe Paul Rutman and New Pictures, has received an order for ten hour-long episodes. Production on Indian Summers is expected to commence in 2014. US Public broadcaster PBS are co-producing the series and will air the drama state-side as part of their Masterpiece strand.
Created by Rutman, Indian Summers tells the rich and explosive story of the decline of the British Empire and the birth of modern India. Following an assassination attempt at the Royal Club in Simla stories of promises, secrets, politics, power, sex and love play out as the British Raj begins to falter and a nation opens its eyes to the possibilities of freedom. New Pictures is producing the drama series in association with PBS Masterpiece. The executive producers are Charlie Pattinson, Simon Curtis and Rebecca Eaton. Simon Curtis is attached to direct. ALL3MEDIA will handle international distribution.
Speaking of Indian Summers, Channel 4’s Head of Drama Piers Wenger, who commissioned the series, said; “The epic beauty of the Himalayas provides the perfect backdrop for this turbulent story of a world in change. Paul Rutman’s scripts beautifully capture both the plight of those wrestling with an empire on its knees and the restless and pioneering spirit of a nation on the cusp of revolution. We are hugely excited by the creative team that Charlie Pattinson has assembled and cannot wait for Paul, Simon and Charlie to bring this fantastic story to life.”
Charlie Pattinson commented: “Indian Summers tells an epic, emotional and political story. Whilst set in the extraordinary dying days of the British Raj in India it is a story that resonates through time and has directly and indirectly shaped some of the most tumultuous events of the last few years. I am delighted to be working with Piers Wenger and Beth Willis on this show and that Channel 4 has the confidence and ambition to tackle a story and a production as epic and challenging as Indian Summers.”
Masterpiece Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton added: “Indian Summers is a rich and promising story being made by accomplished colleagues whose work we’ve long admired. Our American audience is in good hands.”
