ITV orders Christopher Hampton drama The Singapore Grip

ITV has commissioned The Singapore Grip, a drama that will be adapted by Atonement screenwriter Christopher Hampton from J.G. Farrell’s classic novel.

The six-part series is an epic tale set in World War II, which centres on a British family living in Singapore at the time of the Japanese invasion.

The series will be executive produced by Mammoth Screen’s Damien Timmer, who is responsible for recent dramas including Poldark and the forthcoming Vanity Fair for ITV.

Set to shoot in the Far East this autumn, Mammoth Screen’s creative director Rebecca Keane developed the project with Timmer and Hampton. Karen Thrussell from Mammoth (Poldark), will also executive produce.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment will be responsible for the international distribution.

Polly Hill, head of drama for ITV, said: “The Singapore Grip is a portrait of a society in decline as they cling to a world that is slowly crumbling. I’m delighted to be working with Christopher Hampton and for ITV to be the home for his brilliant adaptation of J.G. Farrell’s epic novel.”