Traces, written by Bullmore, who starred in and wrote Scott & Bailey, is the channel's first ever commission and UKTV's latest original drama.
The six-part series will be produced by RED Production Company who have recently brought audiences Happy Valley, Butterfly and Trust Me and is based on an original idea by best-selling crime writer Val McDermid.
Described as "a suspense-filled crime thriller told from a fresh point of view, where forensic science takes centre stage", the Scotland-set series explores the world of SIFA, the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science.
At the forefront of Traces are three compelling and different female characters; Emma Hedges, Prof. Sarah Gordon and Prof. Kathy Torrance.
Together will use the rigors of forensics to uncover the truth about an unsolved murder case.
When 23-year-old Emma Hedges returns to Scotland to take up a new position as a lab assistant at SIFA, she signs up to a MOOC – Massive Online Open Course - which teaches the principles of forensic science. But she soon discovers that the fictitious case study has a strikingly similar and shocking link to her past.
As Emma’s sleuthing takes her into darker corners and unpicks more and more secrets, it becomes clear that she should trust no-one. It will be Sarah and Kathy’s exacting minds that reward Emma’s faith in the science that has fuelled her imagination and who will ultimately bring a killer to justice.
Running alongside Emma’s central story, other cases and different forensic disciplines will shine a spotlight on science’s contribution to solving the mysteries of human existence.
Drama Commissioner for UKTV Philippa Collie Cousins said “When the idea came over from RED it genuinely made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
The fantastic writing talent in Amelia Bullmore coupled with Nicola Shindler and the team at RED will make Alibi’s first ever drama commission something really quite special.
With strong female characters this is Happy Valley meets Silent Witness, a dark and exciting show that I can’t wait for us to get cracking on.”
Founder and executive producer of RED Production Company, Nicola Shindler, said “I am really excited to be working with UKTV bringing Amelia’s compelling and original scripts to life. From the brilliant mind of Val McDermid this is a mystery I want the Alibi audience to find totally addictive.”
The channel are keeping tight-lipped over the casting but are set to make an announcement in the coming months.
Traces will air later this year on Alibi
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