New drama indie Three Tables Productions has inked a development deal with Fremantle to create a series from ‘The Robber Baron’s Daughter’.
The Indie will adapt the novel from Whitbread Prize winner Jamila Gavin with Beatrix Christian (‘Picnic At Hanging Rock’) attached as writer. Fremantle’s Creative Director for Global Drama, Christian Vesper, will join as executive producer.
‘The Robber Baron’s Daughter’ is a haunting mystery thriller about a sheltered rich-girl who disobeys her powerful father to investigate the disappearance of her tutor, only to find herself at the heart of a nefarious criminal underworld. The novel is about unravelling a seemingly fairy-tale world in a story that includes human trafficking, criminal oligarchs and a female protagonist breaking free of her social constraints.
JT Wong, co-Founder of Three Tables, says: “At Three Tables Productions we want to tell stories you can’t find anywhere else. That’s not just about finding great source material but also getting it out to the widest possible audience. With The Robber Baron’s Daughter, Jamila Gavin wrote a page-turning thriller that was originally for younger readers, yet its themes are incredibly grown-up and relevant, making it perfect for adapting into a drama series. It’s great to partner on this project with Fremantle, who support and share our ambitions for the project.”
Christian Vesper, EVP, Creative Director, Global Drama, Fremantle, said: “Co-developing The Baron’s Robber’s Daughter alongside the newly formed Three Tables Productions is immensely exciting, as their talent, ambition and creativity make them the perfect partner for Fremantle. This is a unique Young Adult story, in an almost gothic fairy-tale setting, which deals with incredibly relevant themes affecting the world today. We’re also huge fans of Beatrix Christian after working with her on Picnic at Hanging Rock, so having her on board to adapt Jamila’s novel is fantastic.”
The Three Tables slate also includes ‘Unnatural Causes’, the best-selling memoir of Dr Richard Shepherd, Britain’s top forensic pathologist, which is being adapted into a crime drama and potential returning series. Simon Block (‘The Eichmann Show’, ‘The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall’) is writing.
Three Tables was founded by David Chikwe, Himesh Kar and JT Wong. They are also joined by Development Assistant, Holly Boyden.
David Chikwe was formerly the Head of Development at Leopard Pictures, where he co-created and series produced the BAFTA-nominated CBBC show, ‘Eve’, and co-created BBC1’s ‘Missing’ starring Pauline Quirke. David also started the Leopard sub-label Blacklisted Films. His early career was spent in production and development at Ruby Films and Talkback Thames.
Himesh Kar was previously a Senior Executive at the UK Film Council, responsible for selecting and overseeing the development, financing and production of over 20 award-winning films including the Academy Award-winning ‘Man On Wire’, Sarah Gavron’s ‘Brick Lane’, Amma Asante’s ‘A Way of Life’ and Ken Loach’s ‘The Wind That Shakes The Barley’. He was previously Managing Director at Speakit Films and Executive Producer of the Benedict Cumberbatch fronted ‘Walk With Me’, which was released in over 15 countries
JT Wong co-founded Mystical Productions, which produced ‘The Mysti Show’ for Saturday mornings on the BBC. He is a principal at MCM Capital, a family investment firm.
Three Tables’ Chairman is film director, television producer and media executive David Green, who founded September Films and went on to become CEO and then Chairman of DCD Media. He says, "Three Tables is an exciting company because it brings together such a modern and focused group of individuals who forge their skills with those of the best available talent and material. Three Tables has the ability to produce excellent work in new ways while adhering to classic standards."
Staff Reporter
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