UKTV’s Alibi commissions I, Jack Wright
February 13, 2024
UKTV continues to invest in original drama for its specialist crime drama channel, Alibi, with the commission of six-part series I, Jack Wright (6×60’). The series is written by Chris Lang (Unforgotten, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe) and produced by Federation Stories. The series has been pre-sold to Scandinavian public broadcasters (YLE, DK, NRK, SRK).
Nikki Amuka-Bird (Citadel, Hard Sun) will star as Sally Wright, alongside John Simm (Grace, Crime) as Gray Wright and Gemma Jones (Gentleman Jack, Finding Alice) as Rose Wright. Further casting will be announced in due course.
Chris Lang said: ‘I’m so excited to be about to start shooting I, Jack Wright, and delighted to have assembled such an astonishing cast and creative team. Wills are extraordinary documents. The preferment of one sibling or another, one friend, one wife, one husband, is often seen as an expression of who was loved more (or less) with the very person who can explain the document’s true meaning, unable to. They can be used to punish, to reveal long buried secrets, to disinherit and destroy, as well as to bring succour, to affirm love, and make dreams come true. They are the most potent echo of the ended life, for good and for bad, and the will of Jack Wright is no exception – so buckle up, it’s going to be quite a ride!’
Jack Wright is a powerful and successful businessman, who leaves his family in disarray when they learn of his suicide. When the provisions of Jack’s final will and testament are made known, his third wife, Sally (Amuka-Bird), and two sons, Gray (Simm) and John, are shocked to discover they have been largely cut out of Jack’s enormous fortune. As DCI Morgan and DC Jones delve further into the case, they realise Jack’s cause of death was in fact murder. Their sights turn to the Wright family, where the mother of all feuds is beginning. As each family member becomes more reckless and desperate in their bid to own a piece of Jack’s legacy, dark secrets and resentments are revealed with explosive consequences.
I, Jack Wright is a propulsive, darkly comic and moving murder mystery family drama which offers many twists and turns as one family deals with treachery and hidden agendas from all involved.
The UKTV Original series has been commissioned by Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. The pre-investment deal was brokered by Tarmo Kivikallio, head of acquisitions and commissioning for YLE. The series has been ordered for Alibi by Emma Ayech, channel director. Executive producers are Polly Williams, Arielle Gottlieb, Chris Lang and Tom Vaughan. Helen Perry will be executive producer for UKTV. The series will be directed by Tom Vaughan (Doctor Foster, The Flight Attendant) and produced by Nickie Sault (The Outlaws, The Virtues).
Hilary Rosen said: ‘Chris Lang has delivered a gripping story of the devastating impact that patriarch, Jack Wright’s will has on his shocked and feuding family. We are thrilled to be working with Chris and the team at Federation Stories on this fresh, modern and dark family drama. It’s an absolute page turner that’s told in a highly original way.’
Emma Ayech added: ‘Alibi has grown its catalogue of UKTV original dramas over the past few years, along with growing our audience share, and we are always looking to bring bigger and better projects to the channel for our viewers. I am incredibly excited to bring the talents of Chris Lang to Alibi, along with a fantastic cast line-up, who will bring this juicy and thrilling family mystery to life. It’s a gripping story with expertly written characters that will keep our viewers guessing the whole way through.’
Polly Williams, MD of Federation Stories, commented: ‘Chris Lang is a master of the thriller genre, and it’s been a delight to work with him on bringing this wholly original, juicy and vibrant piece to the screen. I, Jack Wright is a whip-smart, bingeable, funny and relatable treat.’
I, Jack Wright is the latest UKTV Original drama for Alibi and will air in 2025. Alibi’s other drama for 2024 is The Red King, produced by Quay Street Productions, and will air later this year.
Nikki Amuka-Bird is represented by Accelerate, Greene Talent, Link Entertainment and Fred Tokzek.