The rights to T.M. Logan thriller 29 Seconds have been optioned by Frank Spotnitz’ Big Light Productions.
The Leonardo producer will develop the thriller into a limited drama series, as part of its first look deal with Tomorrow Studios, an ITV Studios partner.
The series, with the drama working title One Name, will be written by Sara Collins, the author, creator and screenwriter of ITV’s The Confessions of Frannie Langton. It will be executive produced by Frank Spotnitz and Elizabeth Kesses from EJK Productions, along with Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements from Tomorrow Studios (One Piece, Physical). Big Light Productions will be taking One Name to MIPCOM for pre-sales, with Spotnitz also speaking at the market as part of the Producers’ Hub.
A lecturer at a top university, Sarah loves her job inspiring young people and she’s built a comfortable home for her family. But her intolerable and obsessive boss is making her life hell. Faced with a decision to leave and uproot her family, or continue to rebuff his persistent sexual advances Sarah feels trapped, until an unexpected encounter with a powerful and dangerous man ends with her being owed a favour that could fix her problems forever. He offers her a once-in-a-lifetime deal that will make all her problems disappear. No consequences. No comeback. No chance of being found out. A life-altering 29 second phone call…does she make a deal with the devil to free herself? And is it really that easy, or has Sarah put everything and everyone she loves in jeopardy? Telling the story from the unique double perspective of the harasser and his victim, One Name is a character-driven drama that explores the collateral damage and fallout of one woman’s decision in the face of abuse.
Frank Spotnitz, Executive Producer and CEO of Big Light Productions, said: “T.M. Logan is famed for his seriously addictive storytelling and gritty narratives that have audiences hooked worldwide, and 29 Seconds is no exception. It has three key things in abundance that make it perfect for an adaptation to a television drama – a sensational story, a strong IP with global appeal, and of course, it is hugely entertaining. Working together with our producing partners Elizabeth Kesses and Tomorrow Studios to adapt this thrilling piece of storytelling is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to bringing this development project to MIPCOM.”
Elizabeth Kesses said: “T.M. Logan novels are a gift for TV with propulsive storylines and gripping plot twists. The theme of sexual harassment in the workplace makes 29 Seconds such a unique thriller. Big Light are great partners with a real focus on excellence in writing that puts story at the heart of TV production.”
One Name will be produced by Big Light Productions and Tomorrow Studios, and executive produced by Big Light’s Frank Spotnitz and Elizabeth Kesses of EJK Productions alongside Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios. The optioning deal was brokered with Sheila David of Catapult Rights on behalf of Darley Anderson and Associates, Elizabeth Kesses and Chris Sutherland for Big Light Productions. T.M. Logan released 29 Seconds in 2018, which was published by Bonnier Zaffre.
Jon Creamer
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