‘Peaky Blinders’ Producer Options P.D. James’ Cordelia Gray Novels & Plots Expansion Of Female Detective’s Universe

Max Goldbart
·2 min read
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Peaky Blinders producer Caryn Mandabach Productions (CMP) has optioned P.D. James’ Cordelia Gray novels and given itself room to expand the female detective’s universe.

CMP is forging TV versions of An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and The Skull Beneath the Skin, which were penned in 1972 and 1982 respectively by the celebrated British scribe. As part of the deal with the James estate, the indie has agreed the potential to develop further Gray shows beyond the two existing novels.

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Anne Boleyn writer Eve Hedderwick Turner has been brought on board to develop the novels as a returning drama series, set in the present day.

Gray’s character at the time was hailed for being a pioneering protagonist, as a new form of feminism was gaining momentum. The first novel in the bipartite series sees her hired to investigate the death of a young university student who is found hanged in mysterious circumstances. The second book is set in a Victorian castle and centers around actress Clarissa Lisle, who has been receiving death threats.

After reading An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, CMP development boss Alexandra Arlango said she “immediately started a conversation” with James’ daughters. “With their blessing we started the hunt for someone to bring this book series into the 21st century,” she added. “Eve Hedderwick Turner had always been on our radar, and she is the perfect fit to help make Cordelia Gray an iconic, compelling and unexpected lead for a new generation.”

James, who died a decade ago, only wrote two Gray novels but was best known for her Adam Dalgliesh mysteries, which have recently been adapted by Channel 5, starring Bertie Carvel.

Arlango and Hedderwick Turner will EP along with Caryn Mandabach and the indie’s Creative Director Jamie Glazebrook. The deal was negotiated by Jane Villiers at Sayle Screen on behalf of Carol Heaton at Greene & Heaton.

CMP is the producer of the BBC’s hugely successful drama series Peaky Blinders.

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