Ovation comes on board TV adaptation of Ian Rankin novel, Doors Open

US cable channel Ovation has become a coproduction partner on Doors Open, the upcoming TV adaptation of the Ian Rankin novel.

Ovation will coproduce with BBC Worldwide and Sprout Pictures, the production company owned by Stephen Fry, who will also star in the TV movie. Worldwide will distribute the show, which will debut on ITV1 in the UK and Ovation in the US in the second quarter of next year.

The 2008 novel tells the story of a self-made millionaire, an art professor and a banker who come together to pull off an art heist.

Based on a 2008 novel by crime writer Ian Rankin, Doors Open is set in Edinburgh and is the story of a self-made millionaire, an art professor and a banker who come together to undertake an audacious art heist.

The book is part of the Rebus series, featuring Detective John Rebus. Scotland’s STV has previously made a Rebus TV series for ITV in the UK.

Ovation’s Kris Slava said:The art theme lands this film squarely within Ovation’s wheelhouse, but what really sold us on the project was the script.  Based on one of Ian Rankin’s non-Rebus novels, it’s both a fast-paced art caper, and a good love story.  It will play well to a U.S. audience, and we are delighted to be a part of it.”

Matt Forde, EVP sales and coproductions at BBC Worldwide Americas, said, “This co-production deal was a terrific opportunity for us to bring an innovative network and an acclaimed producer together on a great project.”