Three-part ITV drama ‘The Secret’, which shot in Northern Ireland last year with funding from Northern Ireland Screen, is one of only 12 series that will be screened for buyers and press at the first MIPDrama screenings, taking place on April 3.
The showcase will be held in Cannes’ JW Marriot Hotel ahead of MIPTV. Around 350 international acquisition executives and press are expected to attend the screening.
In ‘The Secret’, acclaimed Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt plays Colin Howell, a respectable dentist and pillar of the community, who became a killer in partnership with a Sunday school teacher, Hazel Buchanan.
Hazel Buchanan is played by Irish actress Genevieve O’Reilly, who is known for her roles in ‘Episodes’, ‘Banished’ and ‘The Honourable Woman’.
Howell and Buchanan met at their local Baptist Church in Coleraine and they embarked upon a passionate and destructive affair, which climaxed in an elaborate plot to kill both their partners, Lesley and Trevor.
Written by BAFTA-winning writer Stuart Urban (‘An Ungentlemanly Act’), the drama is directed by Nick Murphy (‘Occupation’; ‘Prey’) and produced by Jonathan Curling (‘Holy Cross’; ‘The Government Inspector’).
Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the Executive Producer is Head of Drama, Mark Redhead (‘Murder of Stephen Lawrence’; ‘Bloody Sunday’; ‘Case Sensitive’; ‘The Suspicions of Mr Whicher’, ‘Critical’).
‘The Secret’ has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea.
The drama shot in Northern Ireland in November 2015 with additional funding provided from Northern Ireland Screen.
MIPTV will take place from April 4-7 in Cannes. Stay tuned to IFTN for more updates.