ZDFE & Red Arrow’s Endor join forces on ‘D.I Helen Grace’ adaptation

MJ Arlidge

Germany’s ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) and Red Arrow Studios-owned Endor Productions have teamed up to develop and co-produce detective drama A State Of Grace.

The 6 x 60-minute show is based on the bestselling novels by MJ Arlidge, with A State Of Grace an adaptation of the first book in the D.I Helen Grace-led series, Eeny Meeny. Screenwriter and author Arlidge (Silent Witness) will exec produce alongside Endor’s recently appointed MD, Carlo Dusi.

The deal was brokered by Yi Qiao, director of ZDFE.drama, and Dusi. Yi Qiao and Hilary Bevan Jones will also executive produce, while ZDFE will sell worldwide.

The female-led thriller centers around an unconventional motorbike-riding detective who is about to come face to face with a a devious and macabre serial killer.

Arlidge said: “Remorseless, determined, kind and courageous, she is every criminal’s worst nightmare and every crime reader’s dream. Over the past 10 years, I have had enormous fun bringing Helen Grace to life on the page – I can’t wait now to introduce her to TV viewers.”

Dusi added: “Hilary and I fell in love with the formidable Helen Grace from our very first read, and are truly excited to be working with a writer of many talents such as Matt in bringing his chilling, unputdownable novels to the screen.”