ITV has commissioned three-part relationship drama, Maryland, created by Suranne Jones and screenwriter Anne- Marie O’Connor.

Maryland centres on two sisters who have grown apart over the years, but through tragic events learn to love and respect one another all over again. Maryland focuses upon the relationship between the sisters, who have been driven apart by complex family dynamics, becoming estranged and wrapped up in their own lives.

Monumental Television (Harlots, Ghosts, Murder in Provence), an ITV Studios label, will produce the drama in association with ITV Studios, which will also star Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack, Save Me, Vigil) as down-to-earth, Manchester born, Becca. Suranne will also executive produce the drama which is a co-production with her company, Teamakers Productions.

Maryland is screenwriter Anne-Marie O’Connor’s first UK drama commission, and she will also executive produce the project. She is also known for creating the comedy series Trollied, and she’s the writer and executive producer of upcoming comedy Hullraisers.

Suranne Jones said: “I’m so excited to be working with Anne Marie on this project. We both immediately knew how we wanted this story to unfold and to have the support from ITV and Monumental Television to let us tell it in our own way has been a
breath of fresh air. Maryland delves into family dynamics and the way in which we ‘label’ each other, sometimes never letting ourselves or our siblings break free from those roles. We look at how we grow apart from one another and how sometimes we don’t really know anything about the people we call our own.

“I love how complex sibling relationships can be and I’m thrilled we get to do it over 3 wonderful hours and not as a ‘side story’. Maryland is an uncomfortable, funny and sometimes difficult story with two sisters at its heart and we can’t wait to take our audience along for the ride.”

Anne-Marie O’Connor said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Suranne and Monumental on Maryland and for ITV to have given us the opportunity to write a character-led show, at the heart of which is a love story about two sisters. From the start, Suranne and I have wanted to tell a story about the roles that are ascribed to us in families – especially as women – and to look at the legacy of a woman who decided to step away from the traditional role but wasn’t honest about her decision.”

The drama will be executive produced by Alison Owen, Debra Hayward (Murder in Provence, Ghosts, Harlots) and Katie Kelly (Harlots) on behalf of Monumental Television.

Alison Owen and Katie Kelly said: “Maryland beautifully reveals the complexities of a sisterly relationship, and we can all relate to Anne-Marie and Suranne’s brilliant exploration of how family dynamics can shape and define us.”

Maryland has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill and Commissioner Chloe Tucker.

Filming will begin later this year with further details on casting and the appointment of key executives released closer to filming commencing.

ITV Studios will be responsible for the international distribution of the drama. Both Suranne Jones and Anne-Marie O’Connor are represented by The Artists Partnership who have worked on the various deals for the drama.