Martin McCann to lead new ITV1 thriller She Lies in Wait

Based on Gytha Lodge's bestselling series of novels.

ITV1 has announced a new six-part atmospheric thriller called She Lies in Wait (working title), which is described as a stylish, suspenseful story from the Jonah Sheens series of novels, created by Gytha Lodge, as filming begins in Ireland.

She Lies in Wait has been adapted for television by Ed Whitmore and, with flashback scenes interwoven with the present-day police investigation, promises to be a searing portrayal of the bonds of friendship, lust, betrayal, rivalry and ultimately murder.

It will star Martin McCann in the leading role of DI Jonah Sheens, who's described as an instantly likeable, industrious and meticulous detective, who lives and breathes his work. Alongside Ella Dacres as enthusiastic new recruit DC Anita Hanson, and Stephen Tompkinson will play the experienced DS Donald Tudor.

With flashback scenes cleverly interwoven with the present-day police investigation, She Lies in Wait (w/t) is a searing portrayal of the bonds of friendship, lust, betrayal, rivalry and ultimately murder.

She Lies in Wait blends the past and present day, as we’re introduced to seven teenagers, Topaz, Aurora, Callum, Benners, Jojo, Coralie and Brett, who go camping in Brinken Wood, part of the New Forest in July 2002.

Only six teenagers emerge from the trip as 15-year-old Aurora mysteriously vanishes with no trace, instigating an exhaustive police investigation with public appeals by her family.  

Flipping between the timelines, the surviving teenagers, including Aurora’s sister Topaz, are now in their early 40s and successful in their careers. But what secrets do they harbour? 

They all claim to be innocent, but someone must surely be lying. Will the secrets of what happened that fateful night ever be known?

Outwardly calm, although hiding secrets of his own, DI Sheens is assigned to investigate the discovery of Aurora’s body, which is found within a hollow deep in the forest, near where the teenagers had been camping.

Newly recruited DC Anita Hanson, just out of uniform, eager, and on her first day in CID is drafted to work alongside Sheens, who clearly isn’t keen on personal chatter and remains guarded, particularly about his private life. Anita defies his authority to follow her instincts in the investigation, in the process uncovering Jonah’s very personal connection to the case; one that could bring his entire world crashing down.

With revelations at every turn, the adults gradually reveal potential motives as events of what happened in the early hours of that calamitous morning begin to unfold.  Who will remain an ally and at what price loyalty? And what of the mysterious van that Callum and JoJo saw in the village of Lyndhurst the morning after Aurora’s disappearance. Did that have anything to do with what happened to her?

The ensemble cast also includes Jemima Rooper as Topaz Keating, Al Weaver as Callum Dalton, Ben Bailey Smith as Brett Anderson, Bradley James as Daniel “Benners” Benham, Jade Harrison as JoJo Maggins and Olivia Mace as Coralie Ribbans, portraying the group in the present day, more than two decades after the events of that fateful summer.

Speaking about She Lies in Wait, writer Ed Whitmore said ""Seven teenagers went into the forest in 2002 but only six came out. When I heard the premise of Gytha Lodge's She Lies in Wait I was hooked.  But when I read the novel itself I was gripped, entranced and moved. Gripped by its vertiginous plot twists, entranced by its heady New Forest setting, and moved by its rich gallery of unforgettable characters. I was utterly certain this was a story I wanted to bring to the screen and in collaborating with Clapperboard Studios and director Marc Evans, I'm lucky enough to be part of a truly stellar creative team."

To which ITV's Commissioner Nana Hughes added, "She Lies in Wait (w/t), adapted from the novel by Gytha Lodge, is a perfect fit for television. We’re excited to be working with such a talented creative team in Ed Whitmore, Marc Evans and Clapperboard to adapt this exceptional book for the screen and introduce the brilliant characters to a whole new audience. And welcoming the exceptionally talented Martin McCann to the role as DI Jonah Sheens."

And Mike Benson said "We're delighted to be working with a brilliant team on the project, led by such smart and respected creatives in Ed, Marc and Myf. The scripts are so rich with intrigue and nostalgia and we were really thrilled the supremely talented Martin McCann agreed to lead the series as the complicated - and potentially compromised - Jonah Sheens. It’s hugely exciting to be working for the first time with the team at ITV and we can’t wait to bring the adaptation of Gytha’s wonderful novel to our screens."

Made by Clapperboard Studios, in association with STUDIO TF1, She Lies in Wait is being adapted by Ed Whitmore, directed by Marc Evans, produdced by Myf Hopkins and co-executive produced by Clapperboard's Managing Director Mike Benson and Senior Executive Producer Rachel Gesua.

She Lies in Wait will air on ITV1