Chris Chibnall's 'Death at the White Hart' Commissioned by ITV
Olivia Colman and David Tennant in Chris Chibnall's first original work for TV, 'Broadchurch'
BBC
Broadchurch creator and former Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall is about to add another impressive title to his resume: that of published author. His first novel, titled Death at the White Hart, will hit shelves this year. Though the crime mystery hasn’t been published yet, U.K. network ITV (home of the aforementioned Broadchurch) has already scooped up the television rights and given the concept a straight-to-series order.
Death at the White Hart is set in the coastal village of Fleetcombe in Dorset, which seems like a picturesque enough location — at least until a local pub owner turns up murdered in a gruesomely staged scene. Detective Nicola Miller, a Fleetcombe native recently returned home from Liverpool, must unravel a web of lies to discover the truth. “Within this cliffhanger-packed murder mystery sits a specifically British story about how people live their lives right now,” Chibnall said in a statement. “There’s no better home for it than ITV.”
The still-to-be-published novel is the first of a two-book deal for Chibnall. It will officially hit shelves on March 27 in the U.K. from Penguin Michael Joseph, and arrive in the U.S. a few months later on June 10, courtesy of Pamela Dorman Books. It’s already been sold in translation in Czech, Dutch, German, Greek, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, and Ukrainian*.
(*This means the industry is expecting this book to be a fairly big hit.)
'Death at the White Hart cover art
Penguin
Here's the book's synopsis.
Nothing keeps a village together like secrets.
The villagers of Fleetcombe like to think of it as one of the most picturesque spots on England’s coast.
But now, it’s a disturbingly macabre crime scene.
A man is found dead, tied to a chair in the middle of the road, a stag’s antlers on his head. The gruesome scene stuns the town, especially when the victim is identified: Jim Tiernan, who ran the White Hart pub. Tierney’s pub is at the center of village life and he knew everyone’s secrets.
Detective Nicola Bridge grew up in Fleetcombe and has now returned, for the good of her family, from a life away in Liverpool. DC Harry Ward is ten years younger and, despite his newcomer status, determined to earn Nicola’s trust. Because they don’t have long to crack the storybook façade and find out just what the people of Fleetcombe have to hide. And now, in the place she thought she knew so well, Detective Nicola Bridge is asking questions. Is she ready for what she’s about to find?
No actors are attached as yet, the commission for straight to series is based on the strength of Chibnall's track record alone, and he will adapt his own work for the small screen. Directors and cast are expected to be announced in due course.
“I am very excited to be working with Chris and Red Planet Pictures again and that ITV will be home to his wonderful debut novel, Death At The White Hart," ITV Director of Drama Polly Hill said in a statement. "I think it’s a perfect partnership, and I know the adaptation with Chris at the helm, will make an unmissable drama. It’s all the more special for us that Chris returns to Dorset once again with this very British murder and wonderful new investigation team.”
The series will be produced by Chibnall’s company Imaginary Friends Productions and Red Planet Pictures. Fremantle is handling international distribution.
Death at the White Hart (the novel) will hit bookshelves in the U.K. and the U.S. on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The TV series isn't expected out until 2026 at the earliest.
