Writer Stephen Poliakoff is returning to television with Maltese historical thriller The Order, a new international drama series, based on the acclaimed novel by Peter Portelli, The Order. The series is produced by Little Island Productions and Hopefield in association with the Malta Film Commission.
The eight-part political thriller is set in the months leading up to and during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. “Against the backdrop of one of history’s most consequential conflicts, the series explores a world of power, espionage, faith and survival as rival factions, hidden agendas and fragile alliances collide.”
The Order marks Poliakoff’s return to epic television drama, combining large-scale international storytelling with the intimate character-driven narratives that have defined his award-winning career.
Set and filmed in Malta, the project will use the island as its principal production base. The project is in active development with production anticipated to commence in 2027.
Executive Producers are Helen Flint for Little Island Productions, Neil Chordia for Hopefield, Nick Portelli and Peter Portelli.
Stephen Poliakoff said: “The Order is the extraordinary collision of politics, faith, ambition and survival at a moment when the fate of nations hung in the balance. It’s a story of people navigating immense pressures and impossible choices, set against one of the most dramatic periods in history.”
Johann Grech, Malta Film Commissioner, said: “The Order represents exactly the kind of ambitious, internationally resonant television drama that Malta is increasingly attracting and supporting. We are proud to be working with Stephen Poliakoff, Peter Portelli, Helen Flint, Neil Chordia and their teams on a project that brings together exceptional creative talent with Malta’s unique history, locations and production expertise.”
“This announcement underscores our commitment to building long-term creative partnerships and further strengthening Malta’s position as a destination for premium international film and television production.”
Helen Flint, CEO and Executive Producer of Little Island Productions, said: “Stephen Poliakoff is one of our most distinctive and visionary dramatists, with an extraordinary ability to bring pivotal moments in history to life through deeply human stories. The Order is a compelling and ruthless political thriller with remarkable scale and ambition, but at its heart it is driven by character, intrigue and the human consequences of power. Malta is central to both the story and our production vision, and we are delighted to be developing the project with the support of the Malta Film Commission and our partners at Hopefield.”
Neil Chordia, Executive Producer, Hopefield, said: “The Order has all the ingredients of a compelling international drama: a remarkable true historical backdrop, political intrigue and a story that feels strikingly relevant today. Stephen’s vision is richly detailed and deeply engaging, and Malta lies at the heart of that vision, bringing to life a fascinating chapter of history through its extraordinary geography and architecture. We are excited to be working alongside Little Island Productions and the Malta Film Commission to bring this exceptional project to the screen.”
Further announcements regarding casting, directing, financing and international distribution will be made in due course.
Picture: left to right: Helen Flint, Johann Grech, Stephen Poliakoff, Peter Portelli, taken last week on location in Malta
Photographer credit – Darrin Zammit Lupi
Pippa Considine
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