Buccaneer Media, the production company behind ‘Marcella’, Whitstable Pearl and Crime has won the rights to dramatise Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author C.J. Tudor’s ‘The Burning Girls’ with award-winning Hans Rosenfeldt (‘The Bridge’, ‘Marcella’) attached as screenwriter.

C.J Tudor’s last novel, ‘The Other People’ went straight into the Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller List, following on from the success of her debut ‘The Chalk Man’, which was a multi award-winning bestseller in over 40 territories.

Her second book, ‘The Taking of Annie Thorne’, was another gripping bestseller. All three of her previous novels, ‘The Chalk Man’, ‘The Taking of Annie Thorne’ and ‘The Other People’ have been optioned for film and television.

‘The Burning Girls’ synopsis

500 years ago: eight martyrs were burnt to death. 30 years ago: two teenagers vanished without trace. Two months ago: the vicar committed suicide. Welcome to Chapel Croft. For Rev Jack Brooks and her teenage daughter Flo it’s supposed to be a fresh start. New job, new home. But, as she knows, the past isn’t easily forgotten.

And in a close-knit community where the residents seem as proud as they are haunted by Chapel Croft’s history, Jack must tread carefully. Ancient superstitions as well as suspicions of outsiders will be hard to overcome. Yet right away Jack has more frightening concerns. Why is Flo plagued by visions of burning girls? Who’s sending them sinister, threatening messages? And why did no one say the last vicar killed himself?

Chapel Croft’s secrets lie deep and dark as the tomb. Jack wouldn’t touch them but for Flo – anything to protect Flo. But the past is catching up with Chapel Croft – and with Jack. For old ghosts with scores to settle will never rest.

Tony Wood, Richard Tulk-Hart and Anna Burns will Executive Produce for Buccaneer Media and are already in early discussions with potential broadcast and streaming partners.

Tony Wood, joint CEO of Buccaneer Media said “‘The Burning Girls’ is a terrific story; it’s very easy to see how C.J. Tudor has risen to the top of the charts in pretty short order. Her ability to tell a truly gripping story is exceptional. We’re thrilled to be pairing her with one of the great European television dramatists in Hans Rosenfeldt”.

“I am absolutely over the moon that The Burning Girls will be lighting up the small screen! Buccaneer Media have such an exciting vision for the book and the absolute icing on the cake – or twig doll on the pyre – is that the awesome Hans Rosenfeldt will be penning the adaptation. I could not be more thrilled, or honoured! said C.J Tudor.

Hans Rosenfeldt said “I’ve been longing to get back to London and to work with Buccaneer again and when Tony sent me a copy of ‘The Burning Girls’ I thought ‘Yes, this is what we should do!’ I loved the book, its characters, the setting, the horror elements and the many twists and surprises and I’m really looking forward to turning it into edge of your seat television.”

C.J. Tudor is represented by Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency. TV rights were acquired by Buccaneer from Hannah Ladds at Madeleine Milburn Ltd.

Buccaneer Media is currently in production on ‘Crime’, Irvine Welsh’s first novel adapted for TV for Britbox starring Dougray Scott (‘Mission Impossible 2’, ‘My Week with Marilyn’) and ‘Whitstable Pearl’, starring Kerry Godliman (‘After Life’) for Acorn TV. The third season of ITV/ Netflix thriller Marcella is available now on ITV, Britbox and Netflix globally.

Jon Creamer

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