Former Doctor Who and Broadchurch showrunner Chris Chibnall’s debut novel is becoming an ITV drama series.

Chibnall will pen the small screen adaptation of Death at the White Hart, which will be published in two weeks.

Death at the White Hart is set in the Dorset village of Fleetcombe, where the village pub’s landlord is found murdered. Detective Nicola Bridge must unpick a web of lies and rivalries to unmask the killer. The novel is the first of a two book deal in the UK and U.S. for Chibnall.

Death at the White Hart will be produced by Chibnall’s Imaginary Friends Productions along with Death in Paradise maker Red Planet Pictures. ITV said Red Planet secured the deal with Imaginary Friends in a highly competitive landscape, “with multiple offers for the rights from production companies and buyers worldwide.”

Chibnall was Doctor Who showrunner prior to Russell T Davies...