TV: ITV commissions STV to produce psychological thriller, The Poison Tree

ITV commissions STV Productions to produce psychological thriller, The Poison Tree in conjunction with GroupM Entertainment

ITV1 has commissioned STV Productions and GroupM Entertainment to produce a brand new two-part drama based on the dark and captivating novel by Erin Kelly, The Poison Tree. 

The Poison Tree is a drama of human desires, betrayal and deception. It tells the story of a haunted woman, translator Karen Clarke, who will go to extraordinary lengths to protect her family and the secrets that she keeps from them.

In 2 X 60” episodes for a 9pm slot, STV Productions will bring to life this psychological and atmospheric thriller. Brief flashbacks to the past will tell the story of an ordinary girl thrown into an extraordinary world, as Karen first meets the glamorous Biba and her brother Rex in one long summer of love, but quickly becomes tangled up in their tragic family history with the romantic idyll turning into a nightmare – one that haunts her to the present day.

The cast has been confirmed for The Poison Tree with up-and-coming actress MyAnna Buring (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Kill List) playing Karen. Biba will be played by Ophelia Lovibond (No Strings Attached, Mr Popper’s Penguins) and Matthew Goode (A Single Man, Watchmen) will play Rex.

The Poison Tree was ordered by Laura Mackie, Director of Drama Commissioning at ITV.

The scripts for both episodes are written by Emilia di Girolamo (EastEnders, Law & Order UK). 

The Poison Tree will go into production this summer and will transmit on ITV1 later this year.

Steve November at ITV, said: "We are delighted to be working with STV and Emilia di Girolamo on this intriguing and emotional thriller. Erin Kelly's novel is rich and absorbing and is perfectly suited to ITV." 

Margaret Enefer, Head of Drama for STV Productions, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing this dark and bewitching psychological thriller to life on screen for ITV1. We’re certain it will grip viewers from start to finish.” 

Richard Foster, Managing Director, GroupM Entertainment said: “Drama financing is an increasingly complex business - it’s an area we’ve been keen to explore in order to help simplify the process and provide benefit to the partners involved. I’m delighted we’re partnering with ITV and STV on a project as exciting as The Poison Tree.”

Steve November is overseeing the commission on ITV's behalf in his capacity as Head of Continuing Drama Series. Margaret Enefer is Executive Producer for STV. The Producer is Madonna Baptiste and Director is Marek Losey.

This is the first drama deal between GroupM Entertainment, ITV1 and STV and will open the door to new funding opportunities for drama.