UKTV’s Alibi channel moves into originals

Crime drama channel Alibi has commissioned its first scripted drama with six-part series Traces.

The 6 x 60-minute drama, written by Amelia Bullmore and produced by Studiocanal-backed Red, is based on an original idea by crime writer Val McDermid.

The crime thriller is set in Scotland and follows three women who must use the rigors of forensics to uncover the truth about an unsolved murder case. BBC Studios will distribute the series internationally.

Casting will be announced over the coming months, with the series due to air on Alibi in late 2019. The drama was commissioned by Philippa Collie-Cousins with head of scripted Pete Thornton, and ordered by Richard Watsham, director of commissioning, with Adrian Willis, GM for drama and lifestyle.

Exec producers include Red’s Nicola Shindler, Philippa Collie-Cousins for UKTV and Liam Keelan for BBC Studios.

The project joins UKTV’s growing slate of scripted dramas, which includes W’s Women on the Verge, co-written by Sharon Horgan and Lorna Martin, and the Anna Paquin-fronted Flack.

UKTV drama commissioner Cousins said: “When the idea came over from Red it genuinely made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The fantastic writing talent in Amelia Bullmore coupled with Nicola Shindler and the team at Red will make Alibi’s first ever drama commission something really quite special. With strong female characters this is Happy Valley meets Silent Witness, a dark and exciting show that I can’t wait for us to get cracking on.”

Alibi channel director Emma Ayech added: “Alibi has an incredibly engaged audience of passionate crime drama fans. It’s the perfect opportunity to grow our slate of scripted shows and give our viewers a brand-new UKTV Original series that we hope they will love.”