ITV commissions two-part drama ‘Lucan’

ITV has commissioned a two-part drama, ‘Lucan’, based on the life and dissapearance o flamboyant aristocrat, Lord Lucan and inspired by John Pearson‘s book ‘The Gamblers’.

The drama will star Rory Kinnear (Southcliffe, Loving Miss Hatto, Skyfall) as Lucan whilst Christopher Eccleston (Song for Marion, Blackout, The Shadow Line) takes the role of John Aspinall. Acclaimed actor Michael Gambon will also appear in the drama written by award-winning writer Jeff Pope (Mrs Biggs, Appropriate Adult, The Murder of Stephen Lawrence).

The drama, will tell the story of Lucan’s exploits as a member of the infamous Clermont set and will focus on his marriage collapse to Veronica, the Countess of Lucan.

With his marriage disintegrating, Lucan became obsessed with regaining custody of his children.   Ultimately the drama will reveal what happened on that fateful night in November 1974 when his children’s nanny, Sandra Rivett, was cruelly bludgeoned to death in the basement of the family’s home in London’s Lower Belgrave Street as she made her way to the kitchen to make a cup of tea.

To this day Lucan is thought to have mistaken Sandra for his wife Veronica, whom he blamed for the fractures in his family life.  His whereabouts and eventual fate have remained a mystery for nearly four decades, captivating and intriguing the public whose fascination with Lucan is undiminished.

Lucan will be produced by Chris Clough (Dates, Strike Back, Skins), executive produced by Francis Hopkinson, Jeff Pope and Quentin Curtis and directed by Adrian Shergold (Mad Dogs, Pierrepoint, Dirty Filthy Love). Executive Producers for GroupM Entertainment being Richard Foster and Tony Moulsdale.

Francis Hopkinson, ITV Studios Creative Director and Executive Producer commented: “This extraordinary and tragic event has fascinated people for 40 years. Jeff Pope’s script, based on John Pearson’s book The Gamblers, brings new insight and revelations, which will surprise the audience. We are delighted that a top cast and director have come together to tell this story.”

ITV’s Director of Drama commissioning Steve November said: “The story of Lord Lucan continues to mystify and intrigue us, Jeff’s reputation for award-winning factual drama goes before him and these new scripts offer a compelling insight into the events surrounding Lucan’s disappearance.”

Filming of Lucan will begin in August 2013 in and around London.