ITV's upcoming series The Dark has found its lead in The Nevers star Laura Donnelly.
Donnelly, also seen in Sugar opposite Colin Farrell, is set to play Scottish detective Monica Kennedy in the TV adaptation of GR Halliday's novel From the Shadows (via Deadline).
As the series' protagonist, the hardened DI investigates the murder of a young man whose body has been eerily staged. Monica fears the killing is the beginning of a campaign to sever the ties of the local rural community.
As paranoia rises and secrets are forced into the light, the locals realise there's a serial killer hidden amongst them.
Donnelly is the only star to be attached to the project at present, as additional casting is in process and will be revealed in due course.
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Penned by Matt Hartley, who previously wrote for EastEnders and Hollyoaks, the ITV series has the potential to return for more seasons as Halliday's book has spawned two sequels, Dark Waters and Under the Marsh.
Released in 2019, From the Shadows has been hailed as an "atmospheric" and "gruesome" read "that keeps you guessing" in readers' reviews (via NetGalley.co.uk).
"An enjoyable read with some interesting characters and an intriguing plot that keeps you guessing," one reader noted, adding that the novel is "very atmospheric and rather gruesome in parts".
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Someone else drew a comparison between DI Monica Kennedy and Brenda Blethyn's beloved DCI Vera Stanhope in Vera.
"Monica Kennedy is an absolutely brilliant heroine and is reminiscent of Vera! Well written and thoughtful in style," the reader commented.
Monica has been described as "inimitable" by the show's writer Hartley, while ITV's Director of Drama, Polly Hill, deemed her "fearless" and promised a "chilling" story set in rural Scotland.
"The Dark is a compelling new drama which introduces the fearless DI Monica Kennedy, who has to try and catch a serial killer in this really chilling Scottish story," Hill said in a statement.
"Matt's adaptation is brilliantly gripping and I am delighted to be adapting this novel with him and the team at Poison Pen."
A release date for The Dark is yet to be announced.
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Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
