Chibnall is set to write the film adaptation of Death at the White Hart, which is due to be published next week. Death at the White Hart is set in the Dorset village of Fleetcombe, where the landlord of the village pub is found murdered. Detective Nicola Bridge must unravel a web of lies and rivalries to unmask the killer. The novel is the first of a two-book deal in the UK and US for Chibnall.
Chibnall (pictured) was Doctor Who showrunner before Russell T Davies and also created Broadchurch, one of ITV's most popular series of all time. He is responsible for the upcoming Netflix adaptation of Agatha Christie's The Seven Dials Mystery.
Death at the White Hart was commissioned by ITV drama boss Polly Hill. Chibnall said: “Polly’s dynamic vote of confidence in Death At The White Hart made it a no-brainer to bring the novel to the screen with ITV. Within this cliffhanger-packed murder mystery sits a specifically British story about how people live their lives right now. There’s no better home for it than ITV.”
Death at the White Hart will be produced by Chibnall’s Imaginary Friends Productions along with Death in Paradise maker Red Planet Pictures. ITV said Red Planet secured the deal with Imaginary Friends in a highly competitive landscape, “with multiple offers for the rights from production companies and buyers worldwide.”