One-off Kelly drama Cold Blood ‘ready for full series’

Published Wednesday 5 October 2005 at 11:15 by Liz Thomas

ITV Production is hopeful its new drama Cold Blood, with Matthew Kelly, Jemma Redgrave and John Hannah, will be turned into a series.

The 90-minute thriller will be aired on October 19 and features the former Stars in Their Eyes presenter as notorious jailed serial killer Brian Wicklow, who refuses to give away the location of his last victim. Redgrave plays a determined young detective who turns to Hannah, her ex-boyfriend and a convicted murderer, for help.

Although it was commissioned as a single drama, the programme-maker - which was called Granada before the network’s recent structural overhaul - has said there are four more episodes in the pipeline.

Creator Tom Needham, who has penned more than 50 episodes of The Bill, including 2003’s live show and has worked on Silent Witness, Casualty and Emmerdale, is optimistic but conceded the final decision would be based on viewing figures.

He told The Stage: “There is room to develop the relationship between Eve [Redgrave] and Jake [Hannah]. He is a convicted murderer so there are issues like forgiveness, perception and human nature that can be addressed. The final episode will look at Wicklow’s return - he’s a very complicated character and out for revenge.”

If given the green light, the series will feature the original cast and will again be directed by Stuart Orme, who worked on Colditz and Goodbye Mr Chips, and producer Ian White.

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Entrants were asked to submit a monologue and three sketches. Judges included station executives Caroline Leddy, Andrew Newman and Shane Allen, as well as The Book Group creator Annie Griffin, Smack the Pony’s Victoria Pile and Father Ted writer Arthur Mathews.