ITV has ordered Honour, a two-part drama exploring the police investigation into the murder of Banaz Mahmod, who was the victim of a so-called ‘honour killing’ for falling in love with the wrong man. Keeley Hawes is attached to star in the two-parter.
Honour tells the story of Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Goode’s (Hawes) passionate search to discover the fate of missing 20-year old Banaz. DCI Goode discovered that Banaz had been to the police five times to report threats to her life from members of her own family.
Appalled that her own colleagues had missed multiple chances to save a young woman’s life and prevent a so-called “honour” killing, Caroline vowed that she would not rest until she finally got justice for Banaz. It was a promise that quickly became personally consuming. The two-parter is being produced by Hera Pictures in association with Hawes’ production company Buddy Club. Gwyneth Hughes is penning the scripts. Alliea Nazar is the producer, while Burton And Taylor helmer Richard Laxton is attached to direct. The executive producers are Liza Marshall, Gwyneth Hughes, Peter Kosminsky and Keeley Hawes. Production is set to get underway in September. ITV Studios Global Entertainment will handle global sales.
“Gwyn’s scripts beautifully and sensitively tell the story of DCI Caroline Goode’s investigation into the tragic murder of Banaz Mahmod”, said ITV’s Head of Drama Poly Hill, who commissioned the two-part factual drama. “I am proud to work with Liza and Hera Pictures, to bring this important story to screen on ITV.”
“Banaz Mahmod met her brutish death on the orders of her own father and uncle, which I find profoundly unsettling”, commented Gwyneth Hughes. “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.”
While Keeley Hawes added: “It is a privilege to be working on Honour as Buddy Club’s first ever project. In a time where honour 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.”
