Channel 4 and Hulu commissions Kiri (w/t)

BAFTA-winner Jack Thorne (National Treasure) returns to Channel 4 with a powerful and compelling new 4-part serial drama. Kiri (w/t) examines the abduction and death of a young black girl, named Kiri, who is soon-to-be-adopted by her white foster family, and the trail of lies, blame, guilt and notoriety that follows.

At the heart of the drama lies Miriam, played by BAFTA and RTS award-winner Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax), an experienced, no-nonsense social worker who loves and believes in her job, but has a maverick and instinctive approach to protecting the children in her care. Miriam arranges for Kiri to have an unsupervised visit with her biological grandparents. But when Kiri disappears during the visit, the fingers of suspicion and blame from the police, the press, and even her colleagues, point firmly at Miriam. As the media spotlight around the story intensifies, Miriam, as well as both sets of families, are forced to ask the toughest questions, not just of themselves, but of each other.

Tobi, Lucian Msamati (Taboo, Luther), who is Kiri’s birth grandfather, finds both his race and dysfunctional relationship with his son, the prime suspect in Kiri’s murder, put under the microscope. Meanwhile Alice, Lia Williams (The Missing, The Crown), Kiri’s fiercely articulate white foster mother, watches as her family starts to crumble under the pressure of very public grief.

Beth Willis, Channel 4 Head of Drama, says: “We are so honoured and excited to have Jack return to Channel 4 for Kiri. Jack’s characters are uncompromising and contradictory and always utterly, recognisably human – his typical wit and warmth blast off the page right from the start. We are so thrilled to have the perfect Sarah Lancashire bringing the funny, bold and troubled Miriam to life.”

Jack Thorne, writer, says: “My Mum spent most of her life in the caring professions and I've always wanted to find a way of examining the pressures they are put under. I'm so grateful as always for the bravery and brilliance of Channel 4 in being prepared to look these issues in the face.”

George Ormond, co-executive producer, says: “Following Miriam, Tobi and Alice as their lives are put under the spotlight is utterly compelling, an emotional rollercoaster. It’s typical of Jack’s writing that it leaves you torn – you love them, and question them at the same time. We’re delighted to have attracted such a wonderful cast, and to be working with Jack again.”

Kiri (4 X ‘60) is commissioned for Channel 4 by Beth Willis, Head of Drama, and will be produced by The Forge in association with Hulu. The production was backed by finance from the Welsh Government. It will begin shooting in 2017 to air on Channel 4 in 2018. George Ormond (National Treasure, Ackley Bridge, Great Expectations) and George Faber (Shameless, National Treasure, The Devil’s Whore, Skins) are Executive Producers with Toby Bentley (National Treasure, No Offence) producing. Euros Lyn (Happy Valley, Damilola, Our Loved Boy) will direct the series. Following the successful U.S. premiere of National Treasure on Hulu, Thorne’s Kiri (w/t) has been commissionined in the United States to premiere exclusively as part of the Hulu Original slate. all3media International is The Forge’s international partner on Kiri and will handle its global sales.

Kiri is written by Jack Thorne, whose previous credits include National Treasure (Channel 4) Glue (E4), The Fades (BBC3), This is England ‘86, ’88, ’90 (Channel 4) and The Last Panthers (Sky). He has also written Hope and Let the Right One In for The Royal Court Theatre as well as the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for London’s West End and The Solid Life of Sugar Water for the National Theatre.