The Stage

ITV1 plans Spooks-style drama

Published Wednesday 19 July 2006 at 11:30 by Liz Thomas

ITV1 is developing a glossy drama about whistleblowers as part of its bid attract younger and more upmarket viewers to the channel.

The show, which is still in the early stages of the commissioning process, is being penned by Holding On and The Family Man writer Tony Marchant.

A source told The Stage: “Whistleblowing has become very topical in recent years and happens in most industries.

“The series follows a group of people - three men and women - that develop a reputation for being able to facilitate the process. It also means that a range of subjects, such as the Iraq war and prisoner abuse, can be tackled.”

They added that the aim was to have a show with high production values, similar to the fast-paced style of Spooks, Hustle or even 24.

Although still at the script development stage, Whistleblowers is indicative of a shift in ITV1’s drama policy to embrace edgier and grittier programmes that attract the 16-34 year old demographic to the channel, which is important for advertisers.

In the past few months, long-running shows such as Rosemary and Thyme and Footballers’ Wives have been axed and in June the network’s director of television Simon Shaps said the number of single and two-part dramas would also be scaled back in a wide-ranging overhaul of the schedules.