ITV has ordered Too Close, a three-part adaptation of the novel by Clara Salaman (written under the pen name Natalie Daniels). Emily Watson (A Song For Jenny, Chernobyl) is attached to star.
Too Close tells the powerful story of how two women become dangerously close when fate forces them together. Dedicated forensic psychiatrist, Dr Emma Robinson (Watson) is not easily shocked. She’s worked with her fair share of high security patients. Then she’s sent to assess Connie for trial. Connie has a searing insight into Emma’s deepest insecurities and starts to brutally exploit them.
Their sessions become a complex psychological game with confusing undercurrents. She tries to understand Connie, and her complicated relationship with her beautiful best friend, Ness, which seems to have made her snap. But as Emma tries to uncover the truth behind the madness and learn what triggered Connie’s despicable behaviour, it seems that her attempts to see justice done may destroy her instead.
Clara Salaman is penned the adaptation of her novel, which is eyed as a miniseries rather than a returning drama. It was commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama Poly Hill. Snowed-In Productions, the sister company to J.K. Rowling’s Brontë Film and TV, are producing in association with All3Media International. Snowed-In’s Head of Drama Ruth Kenley-Letts will serve as the executive producer. All3Media International will handle global sales.
“Working with Clara Salaman on this adaption of her novel has been a joy”, said Ruth Kenley-Letts. “She is a bright new talent to screenwriting and it is a testament to her writing that Emily Watson, one of our finest and most accomplished actors, has signed up to play the part of ‘Emma’. Clara’s scripts are consistently gripping, with three compelling and brilliantly realised women at their heart. I can’t wait to work with Polly Hill and ITV to bring them to life.”
While ITV’s Head of Drama Poly Hill added: “Too Close is a brilliant script where you are never sure who has the power – the psychologist or her patient, or whether Connie is the monster she’s portrayed as. I’m delighted that Emily Watson is going to play Emma, who will be phenomenal and I’m looking forward to working with Ruth Kenley-Letts and the team at Snowed-In Productions to bring this fantastic adaptation to ITV.”
