Peter James: Novelist and Film Producer: Roy Grace

Peter's blog

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Roy Grace - The Television Series!

I am delighted to be able to tell you that last week I signed a deal with ITV Productions for the Roy Grace television series.

I'm even more pleased to say that I think the screen future of Roy Grace is in the best possible hands, because the production team is my dream ticket. I am co-executive producing with Keith Richardson, Controller of Drama for Yorkshire Granada and then ITV Productions for the past 20 years. He originally made his name with Harry's Game, and has been responsible for some the most successful drama series of the past two decades, including Emmerdale Farm and Heartbeat. Among his many awards is the Royal Television Society Outstanding Contribution to Television Award, won in 2006.

The Roy Grace series producer will be Ken Horn, whose numerous credits include The Royal, Against All Odds, Dr Who, The Street and The Marchioness Disaster.

The series will start with Dead Simple followed by the rest of the Roy Grace novels, with further fresh stories which I will then create. The scripts are being written by a wonderfully talented television writer, Neil McKay - some of you may have seen his dramatisation last year of the Moors Murders story, See No Evil,which won him a BAFTA. Like Keith Richardson and Ken Horn, Neil has a vast background of television experience, his credits including Titanic, Birth of a Legend, Planespotting, Heartbeat, Holby City, Dunkirk, Wall of Silence and many others.

No dates are set for production yet and there are still many hoops to go through. ITVP is still in discussions over the length of each book - whether a single two-hour slot, or two or three one-hour slots shown on consecutive nights, but eventually aims to make the programmes part of a long-running series, if they appeal to viewers.

As part of his reason for making the deal, Keith Richardson made the following comment: "Peter's created a very interesting character in Roy Grace. Here's a detective who is investigating other people's murdered daughters and missing wives, and he himself has a wife who has disappeared and he doesn't know if she is dead or just missing. It's the one thing that gives him humanity and an extra dimension to other [TV] detectives."

As yet we have made no decisions about casting - and I would welcome suggestions, on this blog, from you about not just Roy Grace, but any of the other regular characters.

posted by Peter James at 3:48 PM 63 comments

Comments:

Terrific news, Peter! I remember Harry's Game - you're in safe hands.

By Sarah Hilary, at 6:19 PM

Thanks, Sarah. Yes, I agree with you about Harry's Game - it was a really fantastic adaptation.

Best

Peter

By Peter James, at 8:58 PM

Wow how fantastic!! I have absolutely enjoyed the Roy Grace series and have just finished Dead Man's Footsteps this afternoon - just can't read them quick enough - what a talented writer you are!! When's the next one out? only joking I know it takes time (sadly)I shall certainly look forward to the series being screened on ITV! My Husband and I both read HOST about 11 years ago and we still whisper 'Gulliver' to each other to this day, it had such an impact on us, thank you so much for making reading so thoroughly enjoyable,
Regards
Carole-dawn & Nick Newcombe

By Anonymous, at 10:17 PM

Well Peter, I have just finished my first entry on a new blog. You seem to have scuppered my first comments. I was comparing a certain canoe couple with your latest Roy Grace masterpiece and saying their story would make TV before Roy Grace. A quick link to your blog to find he may get there first afterall. Never mind I've just finished "Dead Man's Footsteps" and as usual I've not been disapointed.Superb!Living in Brighton these books really do bring the City to life. Who should play Roy Grace? Well I guess someone like Ken Stott? or Philip Glenister from Life on Mars?

By Peter Lockwood, at 10:57 PM

Hi Peter,
I know you have said that you want an unknown actor to play Roy in the
Tv Series, but is there anyone you
would like to play character, for
example Alison Vosper?....

Robert p Splaine

By Anonymous, at 7:19 AM

Thats great news. Hope the shows follow quickly over here, after their screenings in UK....Superb lot of people you have working on the show too.
As for who should play Roy Grace. That is the million dollar question isn't it. Often the wrong person can kill the show. And it cannot be anyone, I think, who has been a copper on another series. So maybe someone new...a fresh face to become the character of Roy.

Linda

By Anonymous, at 8:35 AM

I really am looking forward to the TV series. I came to see your talk at the Clifton Montpelier and Powis festival and you said you thought it would be a good idea if the charactor of Roy was played by a new comer, and I think you are right, someone who could really make the project their own. I would like to play the part of Sophie in Not Dead Enough, she reminds me of the way I would have been if I had the chance, but I am too old for that now but it is a lovely thought, wishful thinking. Looking forward to the finished programme and your regular updates. Jacqueline Twamley

By Anonymous, at 10:35 AM

Great news Peter! I'm so pleased to hear Roy Grace is getting his own series. It's a very film-able idea. I saw See No Evil and thought it was quite good. You're in great hands!

Matt

By matwil, at 12:56 PM

Thanks so much all of you for the great comments, above.

One thing I absolutely agree on is that I don't want an actor who has played a police officer before.

Robert, regarding Alison Vosper I have a number of actresses in mind who could do it. One I particularly like is Amanda Holden, but I fear she has had too much exposure playing a police officer, already. But she would be very good at playing those subtle nuances of cold one moment, then sexy come-on the next... But there are several others who could work really well.

By Peter James, at 5:33 PM

My husband thinks the actor who plays Connie from Holby should play Alison Vosper, what do you all think? Jacqueline Twamley

By jacqueline, at 9:24 PM

Well, you'll obviously have to get Brad Pitt to play Paul Packer when he turns up...... :P

By Paul, at 8:56 AM

Paul, I would absolutely not consider anyone else to play this super-bright, handsome, debonair - but tough - character!

Thanks for this suggestion, Jacqueline. I haven't watched HC in a while - I will check it out.

All best

By Peter James, at 9:09 AM

ooo i think amanda redman would be good as alison vosper

By redcurls, at 11:13 PM

Ahh, Meester James...you describe Packer as "super-bright, handsome, debonair and tough..."

May we assume that "The Author" has based this character...on himself???? !!!!

Best Wishes
Stephen

By Anonymous, at 1:27 PM

Now you have definitely zoomed up to the top of my "favourite readers" list!!!!!

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 2:07 PM

Fantastic! I'm looking forward to see it and hope the series get to Sweden asap. I'm very fond of British crime and right now I'm watching the big fat "Cracker" box :)

By Eva, at 3:05 PM

Ever since first reading Dead Simple my friends and I have been trying to think of actors who could play these characters. Although I think of Cleo as having cork screw curls I think than Tamsin Outhwaite would be great to play her. I was also thinking of Amanda Redman for Alison Vosper but think the idea of Connie from Holby would be great.
I can see Grace as being played by Robson Green but feel he has done too many other characters like this and we can't have a geordie accent for our Roy.
How about Adrian Lester for Glenn?
Ohhh and what about Mark Warren as maybe Roy?

Debbie

By Anonymous, at 8:33 PM

Rupert Penry-Jones as Grace..

Debbie

By Anonymous, at 9:00 PM

Thanks, Eve and Debbie, I think these are all really interesting thoughts.

Robson Green is a great actor and if he were an unknown I would put him on my list of possibilities. But not now. When I look at him I don't see the role he is playing so much as think, "Robson Green!" I want someone who really becomes the persona of Roy Grace, in the way that John Thaw so brilliantly became the "persona" of Morse.

I think Adrian Lester is a great actor. Good idea!

Rupert Penry-Jones is interesting thinking, too.

Thanks so much for these.

Best

Peter

By Peter James, at 11:09 AM

Peter, I completely agree with you re John Thaw, but he made every part he played his own, The Sweeney, Kavangh QC and Morse, such a clever actor. I do think it will fantastic if actor takes on the part of Roy Grace and makes it his own and is able to follow it through for you, its so exciting.

By jacqueline, at 4:39 PM

I like Philip Glenister a lot.Probably the opposite to the well-behaved Robson Green (but he's good as well).

By Eva, at 2:46 PM

Good point, Jacqueline.

Glenister is interesting, Eva, thanks - agree with you about him being the opposite of Robson Green. But I think he is now very associated with the Life on Mars/follow-up period.

What do you think of David Morrisey?

Best

Peter

By Peter James, at 10:25 PM

I loved David Morrisey in state of play, I really enjoyed the story and the plot and I managed to guess the end. In was full of brilliant actors very watchable

By jacqueline twamley, at 7:40 AM

Mmm, he's a very big part of Life on Mars (a charming bastard, if you ask me). David M. absolutely! We don't want Grace too sugary, do we? :)

By Eva, at 7:27 PM

I imagine Roy Grace as looking a bit like John Salthouse, but he would probably be too old (in his late 50's) to play Roy and one website says he's actually died! What about Stephen Moyer or possibly Matthew Macfayden?

By Jude, at 9:04 PM

Hi Jude (well, I resisted saying Hey...)

Now there is a great idea - have Roy placed by a dead actor! I think that would put an interesting spin on things...!!!!

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 10:27 AM

This is fantastic news Peter, I look forward to a great treatment of your work

Mike

By Mike Ashworth, at 5:31 PM

Great (and long awaited) news Peter!
What a decision though picking the actor to play 'our' Roy.
Please though not Marc Warren as suggested above........
Ken Stott - great actor but would be too old for Roy (sorry Ken!).
This is going to take some thinking.....

By the way I had to wait a few weeks to read Dead Man's Footsteps as my signed copy got nicked at Gatwick airport when I was waiting for my plane after seeing you at Brighton! I think you should include that somewhere in the next book!
Enjoy France!
Jo
Ps I put a review up on Amazon - I loved it!

By Jo Adams, at 6:24 PM

Ok, first thoughts....
Paul Milner - would really suit the Grace character.
Stuart McQuarrie - very underated actor, I think he is excellent.
Neil Dudgeon - another very good actor.
Daniel Craig - swoon (well someone had to put him in!)

By Jo Adams, at 7:03 PM

Although he's been working for some time in film and TV, i'd recommend Bruce Payne as an excellent lead. he has tremendous charisma. You may recognise his face from Riders, the action film that Michael and Jason produced.

Regards

Stewart

By Anonymous, at 8:21 PM

Peter, may I suggest Mark Springer for the role of Glenn Branson? I saw him as Mercurio in the Globe Theatre's touring production of ROMEO & JULIET at Leeds Castle last year and thought he was superb. He has both a lightness and gravitas about him. My only concern would be he's not too tall. I'd guess 5'9 or 5'10. But you could do a lot worse.

Roy Grace I'm blank on, and in truth would prefer not to see any actor playing . . .

Have you thought about what you're going to do about his missus, though? Gonna show her or not show her?

Hope it goes well, anyway,

Serious best ones,

Mark

(No, not the actor I'm recommending . . .!)

By M, at 3:17 PM

I have just finished reading Not Dead Enough and wanted to drop by to see what news you have.
Great to see that you have the go ahead to make a series from the Roy Grace books and hope that you decide on 2 one hour slots to keep viewers hanging on from a Sunday night to the Monday!!! (Not that I have any real say in the matter to hand!)
I am racking my brains about the cast so fancy picking my way through the internet to come up with some names.
But an unknown TV face for Grace I feel. What a lovely role to make an actors own, but if it is Mr Pitt I get to be his dresser ;0)
I love your books!
Sara

By Anonymous, at 6:13 PM

I nearly fell off my seat when i read your suggestion of David Morrisey to play Roy Grace - my fella and I have always associated had him with character - It just has to be him
Failing that my second choice would be Andrew Lincoln

Tricia

By Anonymous, at 11:12 AM

As the real-life sister of Leighton Lloyd, I'm tempted to suggest Danny DeVito to play him just because we could tease Leighton with this well into his dotage. On the other hand, I could make this work for me by suggesting Antonio Banderas-he resembles Leighton not at all, but I would really love to meet Banderas. (He couldn't refuse to meet his fictional sister could he?) Can you see what you can do? Congratulations on the books and television series

By Anonymous, at 12:36 AM

Great to hear from you!!! Now, I had been thinking of Brad Pitt as the only one good looking enough to play your brother, but now I come to think of it, Banderas, hmmmnnn!

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 5:19 PM

Fantastic, I can't wait for the TV series. The books are gripping and I feel like I really know detective Grace. As such, I believe that casting him will be a difficult task so good luck on that front.

Congratulations on the TV series.
Keep the storylines flowing.
Joanne

By Joanne, at 4:20 PM

I forgot to add earlier..

How about Keith Allen or is he a bit old to be Grace ? a loveable rough diamond kind of a guy with a heart of gold and some added sex appeal.

By Joanne, at 7:02 PM

Hi Joanne

Thanks very much for these kind posts.

Keith Allen is a wonderful actor, and if he were younger he could be on the list of potentials, for sure. But unfortunately he is in his late 50s, I think, and Roy is 39, so the gap is too big. But he is someone I would love to have in some role in one of the episodes.

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 1:58 PM

peter, my day has been made at finding out that roy grace is coming to tv he is absolutley one of my favourite fictional characters and i love your books and i just want to wish you the very best of luck with the tv series and i hope they can do your work justice

with kind regards
joanne

By Anonymous, at 2:08 PM

Fab news, cant wait for it to hit our screens!I love your books and look forward to more!
I cant believe how true to life some of the Officers' are!Good luck with the casting, its a tough one!

Laura

By Anonymous, at 9:26 PM

Hi Joanne and Laura

Tnank you both for such kind words!

All very best

By Peter James, at 10:12 PM

how about martin clunes or maybe gryf rees jones

By Anonymous, at 12:21 PM

Does the tv series mean an end to the novels? I've just this minute finished dead man's footsteps and i'm eager to get my hands on the next installment-if there is one?
Lisa

By Anonymous, at 8:58 PM

Inspector Roy Grace should be played by Sean Pertwee

By Anonymous, at 11:22 PM

Sorry mean to leave my name there, re the Sean Pertwee Casting. He has no broken nose tho!

By Lee Moone, at 11:25 PM

Hi Lee

I think he is a really interesting idea. One negative is his age of 44, Roy is only 38 when we first meet him, but that could be gotten around. He is somone I am adding to our "potential" list for sure.

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 6:37 PM

Hi Peter, thanks for your comments re my casting, didnt realise Sean pertwee was in his mid 40's! Heres another casting idea for you... Ron Cook as Norman Potting. Any ideas what the series will be called? will it be after one of the Novels or just, GRACE?

Cheers

Lee

By Lee Moone, at 1:48 PM

Hi Lee, he is an interesting suggestion. I also like Alun Armstrong a lot but I think he is maybe too well associated with New Tricks now.

No idea what the series will be called, yet. I would love just plain "Grace"

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 4:11 PM

Hi

Got one of the Grace books for my birthday in August and have now read all 4 of them

An excellent series cant wait for the TV show

My wife is now reading them all and we have been visualising the following actors

Mar Warren as Grace (but I can see David Morrisey)

Connie from Casualty/Holby as Alison Vosper

Wife see Adrian Lester as Branson - I see the actor from Fat Friends (no idea of his name)

Kris Marshall as Nick Nicholl

Whoever is chosen I cannot wait

By Tom, at 8:46 PM

I agree that Adrian Lester as Branson is a great idea... I know he's done some stuff like this before but what about Max Beesley for Roy Grace???

Absolutely LOVING the books so can't wait for the show, it's just a bit of a shame that we already know what's going to happen in it!

BIG fan :)
Alex Woolsey

By Anonymous, at 10:57 AM

I think that Mark Strong would make a great Grace, he may be in his mid forties,but im sure the make up could hide that!!!!!
Branson is a bit tougher?.....but i think Kwame Kwei Armah would do him justice (ex ambulance driver form casualty,real name Ian Roberts).....
Just a real shame we have to wait until June for the next book!!

By lee B, at 1:49 PM

Peter
Am thrilled to hear about the TV series - can't wait.........my workmate (who i introduced to your books, she and her husband love them!) and I have set ourselves a task overnight to think of a shortlist of actors to play Roy.....no doubt I'll let you know how we decide will be the best for the role....
All the best
Mhairi

By Mhairi, at 6:29 PM

brilliant that its becoming a tv series, these are the best books i have ever read far better than both the frost and morse books of which i read before they were turned into tv series respectively. I have a few ideas for the characters in the books, here goes- for Grace i would chose Nigel Harman, who played Dennis in Eastenders, before anyone jumps on me and says Peter has said he wants an unknown to play the role consider this- altough he is a known actor he has only had 1 major role and not as a copper, both Frost and Morse probably the most two popular detectives of recent times were played by farmore known actors in Jason and Thaw who both made the role there own beyond doubt, not only this having a well known actor in the lead role would drum up more interest in the series from the start which would lead to more people other than us book fans watching it and therefore increasing the chance of it being a success. For Branson I would go for Glenn Lamont who played Richie in emmerdale a few years back, as far Cleo and Alison Vosper, I cannot think of anyone off the top of my head, but someone earlier mentioned Keith Allen, I think he would be a good addition to the series but I think as Norman.

By Steve Booth, at 11:41 PM

I am so pleased to hear about the tv series, I have read all the Roy Grace novels and love them.
I have passed them on to lots of friends and family.
I look forward to meeting you on 29th November in Colchester.
Laura

By Angel, at 7:05 PM

firstly way to go mr james, i cant wait to see these books on the tv, i love every min of them and seeing as i am a brighton girl i can picture it sooooo clealy ! you are a bloomin genius!!!
secondly - ohhhh i so agree with steve booth - nigel harmen would be fab to play our roy! (mainly coz he is gorgeous) and richie from emmerdale to play branson does sound good to! Although kwami as mentioned earlier is a pretty good actor in my opinion.
either way i am sure you will make all thr right choices and i am sure it will be a hit and win awards because it is a pure work of genius, and i must say i am a massive massive fan! Can't wait to meet you in crawley in december! I will be there xmas shopping lol.
bye for now and you rock!
Shell x

By Michelle, at 12:25 AM

Look forward to Roy Grace TV Series. What about Sarah Parish to play Alison Vosper?
Regards,
Helenb

By Anonymous, at 11:45 AM

i am happy for you and a tv series to boot. i always watched inspector morse series here in the states, but i know grace series won't be here for a few more years. i can wait. charlotte from usa

By Anonymous, at 9:59 PM

Hang on a minute! - I'd be fantastic as Roy Grace!! - Why not hol auditions & decide for yourself???? I'd love the role :)

alex_woolsey@hotmail.com

By Anonymous, at 6:31 PM

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all these great comments and sorry not to have replied to all of them - have been travelling so much I am way behind!

Fear not about the TV series spelling the end of the books, nothing could be further from my mind. I plan to write many more Roy Grace novels - I'm having such a good time working on them that I would be bereft without a new Roy Grace story going around inside my head!

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 8:51 AM

As would we Peter as would we!
The TV is just another dimension for our favourite character - and patience is gonig to have be around in bucketloads until he arrives on the small screen!
Hope all the travelling is gonig well.
Jo

By Jo Adams, at 8:53 AM

Thanks, Jo!

Typing this from the dreaded Terminal Five at Heathrow en route to Germany! Actually T 5 now seems to be running fine, but the queue to go through security is still as ridiculous, chaotic and slow as any other terminal.... So no points to BA for improving that...

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 9:06 AM

Airports, don't you just love them!
Good luck in Germany, they are huge fans of yours so no doubt you will have fun. You'll have to pencil in Orel Fuselli in Zurich for a trip - it's the English language bookshop - 3 floors and they have all your books there as well! I know, I found them!
Jo

By Jo Adams, at 9:09 AM

Thanks, Jo!

I didn't know about the Zurich bookstore - definitely!!

Hope all is well.

Best

Peter

By Peter James, at 10:40 AM