Peter James: Novelist and Film Producer: Dead Simple and Roy Grace Television Series

Peter's blog

Saturday, July 14, 2007
Dead Simple and Roy Grace Television Series

Thanks to all of you who have emailed me about the prospect of a TV series based on my Roy Grace books. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes about the possibility of a Roy Grace television series, but please do not expect it to happen anytime soon. At the moment I am biding my time until I can be assured that everything about the television adaptation will be just right. I care very deeply about the Roy Grace series of novels and I want to ensure that when the series is made that it is faithful to the books, and that the character of Roy Grace is played but an unknown, rather than having a famous actor play him as just another of the many roles of his career.

I also want to ensure that the accuracy of police procedures that I strive so hard to put into my book is reflected in any series. I find it incredible how poorly researched some of our biggest crime series on UK television are. One particular bête noire of mine -- and any tv writer, producer or director reading this, please take note: For many years now any serious crime scene in the UK is immediately cordoned off with Police tape. A scene guard is posted, who will be a uniform PC or PCSO, who signs everyone in and everyone out. He has authority to refuse entrance to anyone -- and I mean, ANYONE, including the Chief Constable of his county, not dressed in protective clothing. Those white SOCO all-in-ones are not there to protect delicate Scene of Crime officers from getting dirty: They are there to protect the crime scene from outsiders contaminating it. So when David Jason, as Frost, blunders into a crime scene in which SOCOs are at work, in his old brown mac and his brogues it really shows someone hasn't done the most basic of homework -- and I think it is insulting to viewers.

Of course writers of crime novels and of their television adaptions have to take poetic licence. Most of the work of senior investigating officers is deskbound -- it is the minions who go out and about, interviewing people. So I have to make Roy Grace more proactive than would be usual for someone in his position, but I explain why he likes to be hands on.

I certainly plan to write some of the series, and to story edit all of it, and to be on set in a producing capacity. I talked a little more about the possibility of a Roy Grace television series in this interview with Screen International.

I will post information up here the moment there is any progress on the series.

posted by Peter James at 7:11 AM 18 comments

Comments:

Well said Peter about the accuracy of research conveyed in todays tv drama/thrillers.

I think you will get it made eventually. I'm sure it will have the right look, feel and characterisation with you firmly involved at the forefront that matches the novels.

As much as we love to hate Hollywood sometimes on their treatment of material, it has to be said that their TV industry at the moment is really great. Particulary in the writing department. Six Feet Under, Sopranos etc etc. They are made so fast that the writer doesn't need to change much or isn't informed from the powers that be, that they must change the script dramatically. I do hope that you can garner some high production values as British crime still lacks a lot of aesthetic value that juxtaposes with the story.

Best

Stewart

By Anonymous, at 4:12 PM

Thank, Stewart. I will do my very, very best!

By Peter James, at 6:34 PM

Hi,

in Sweden we just loove British Crime series (I certainly do and I'm not alone). Maybe it's because we've more in common with Brits than Yankees.

I'm so looking forward to a Roy Grace TV series, but I have to admit that Looking Good Dead, which I'm currently reading, is almost too scary. The most scary and sad is of course the fact that the things depicted in boook actually happen in real life as well.

By Eva, at 12:39 PM

Hi Eva

it's lovely to hear from soemone in Sweden - quite one of my favourite countries. I hope you are not finding Looking Good Dead toooooo scary!!! But I do draw a lot from real life - I spend a huge amount of time out with the police on my research - and the snuff movie aspects of Looking Good Dead are, sadly, all to horrible real and based on fact... I hope at least by writing about the subject I can bring the horrific reality of it to the attention of more decent people in a position to help stamp it out.

By Peter James, at 5:47 PM

Thank you, another reason why we tend to like everything that is British - you are always that impeccably polite :)

Sounds like being an author is fascinating, albeit hard working.

By Eva, at 9:57 PM

The prospect of the Roy Grace series getting made into a TV series really excites me. I first picked up the series whilst book shopping in Brighton as thats where I now live. And from the first page I was transfixed with the novel. Hope you continue to write for a long time as your books are a very good read

By Dominic, at 9:52 AM

Thanks for such kind words, Domnic. I'm having a good time writing the Roy Grace series and certainly plan to do several more.

By Peter James, at 4:54 PM

When I added my first page to The Real Me on TNES, I have to admit that the name Peter James meant nothing to me. I have now read Denial and Dead Simple and have just made a start on Looking Good Dead. I have to agree that a television series of the Roy Grace investigations would be terrific.

Diana

By Diana E.Backhouse, at 9:37 PM

Put 'dead simply' - a T.V. series is the news i have been waiting for!

I think you are bang on Peter, when you say that an unknown should play Roy Grace.
I can't wait to see how you 'get over' to the viewer Roy's doubts, fears, and insecurities that make Roy so believable and fascinating. I don't think this would have been possible with a well established actor.

I have just read 'Looking good dead' and thought it was fantastic in all facets.

The ending sequence of warehouse to 'copter had me rocking in my chair and grinding my teeth like some crazed hillbilly!

Thankyou for giving me so much escapism and a new trusty old friend in Roy Grace!

P.S. I hope Cleo is as beautiful as she sounds!

Regards Chris H.

By Chris H., at 11:29 AM

Hi Chris

Thanks for such kind words. I'm glad you agree with my views that Roy should be an unknown - and I'm thrilled by your comments on the climax of Looking Good Dead.

And yes, I promise you, Cleo is beautiful!!!

All very best

Peter

By Peter James, at 1:33 PM

Thanks for your reply Peter.
Well I've just finished 'Not dead enough' - excellent!

It really kept me guessing throughout. I had my suspicions...but then I was glad to be proved wrong!

As ever, great surprises and drama with a very plausible twist. (as always)

The characters, relationships and plot detail will hopefully make this T.V. gold.

I love RG's character like I mentioned in my previous post and the shadow of Sandy still in the background.

Sandy:
I hope you can keep Sandy in the background for as long as is realistically possible, because the mystery of her adds to the story.
Thinking about it, her return would be a great season finale or better still, the LAST Roy Grace story/episode that's EVER written/aired.
I Can imagine the viewing figures after Roy's hopefully established following that has gone before... "Don't miss Roy Grace's last ever drama.
With his reputation on the line, can he catch the seemingley unstoppable killer who taunts him to humiliation and near breaking point?
Will he tie the knot with Cleo?
And what happens when he unravels the mystery of his long lost wife Sandy? "
Sorry about that Peter - I was getting carried away!

DS Glen Branson:
Forget 'Murtaugh and Riggs' from the 'Lethal Weapon' films - I think this 'buddy buddy' relationship is just fantastic.

From Branson's mickey taking about Roy's age/tastes and then Roy's kurt, witty sometimes snappy replies..
To the great friendship and respect between them.

CLEO:
What can I say? Beautiful, Sexy Intelligent, passionate - with a completley contrasting job!
A great catch for Roy who I feel may be approaching a bit of a midlifer!
Thanks for scaring her, Roy (and me!) witless in that nerve shredding finale!

Like I said - Great characters!

Peter, sorry for going on.
I think you can tell I'm a big fan!
Can't wait till June for Roy's next outing! Until then I'm going to look at some of your previous work, starting with 'The Truth'.

Regards
Chris H.

PS: How is the adaptation for TV going? - Timeframe yet?

By Chris H., at 7:25 PM

Hi Chris, no need to apologize, when you are saying such hugely kind things!!!!

There is no time frame yet for the TV adaptation, but it is progressing behind the scenes... I will post news as soon as there is any, but it is going to be a long while yet - at least a year and maybe longer, because I am so busy with writing researching the next Roy Grace and all the global promotion I'm having to do - which is great but time consuming. Thanks so much for all your kindness, it is really, hugely, appreciated.

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 5:16 PM

Peter,
Have to definately agree with you on the accuracy re. scene guard - I am a police officer (Essex) and can never watch programs such as the bill for fear of pulling my hair out!
Just mentions of PNC etc shows research beyond normal writers of British Crime writing!
Good luck with future books - already looking forward to Dead Man's Footsteps!!

By MikeHinton81, at 8:24 PM

Both myself and my partner are fans of the Roy Grace series. WHEN my partnet first read Dead Simple, his comment post read was, it would be great if it was made into film/tv series. You're now planning to do just that. I think it will be amazing to see it in action and going by how much we love the books I know any adaptation will be tremendous and worth the wait.

You make me a very happy reader
Thanks

Teresa

By Anonymous, at 9:22 PM

Thanks Teresa! There is some progress happening behind the scenes and this is where any concrete news will appear first!

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 4:55 PM

Hi Mike Hinton

Well, I take it as a big compliment coming from you!!!!

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 4:58 PM

hi - any update on the tv series?

By tricia, at 12:59 PM

Hi Tricia, there is are some developments happening at this moment, which I think will be very exciting. I expect to be able to announce something within the next few weeks....

Thanks very much for your interest.

Best

Peter

By Peter James, at 2:38 PM