Production house Fremantle Australia has acquired the exclusive screen rights to the bestselling DCI Jack Hawksworth crime series by South Australia-based author Fiona McIntosh (pictured).
The series consists of the blockbuster novels Bye Bye Baby, Beautiful Death, Mirror Man and a fourth book in the series, set to be published in 2023 by the Penguin Random House Australia (PRH) imprint Michael Joseph.
The series has been popular for crime aficionados since the first book was published in 2007. The central character, DCI Jack Hawksworth, has taken readers globally into the murky world of cold-blooded killers often using unconventional methods to solve crimes where others have given up.
Warren Clarke, Fremantle’s head of scripted development, said: “Fiona’s created a richly compelling series of crime thrillers through her much-loved character of DCI Jack Hawksworth. We’re delighted to be collaborating with her in bringing these brilliant stories to the screen.”
Warren Clarke
Warren Clarke (pictured) stepped into the role of head of development – scripted earlier this year. Clarke joined Fremantle from Matchbox Pictures. Whilst at Matchbox, Clarke helped develop projects including Foxtel’s award-winning political drama Secret City, Rebecca Gibney’s on-the-run series Wanted, and Nine’s Hyde and Seek. He went on to co-create ACTAA nominated and critically acclaimed ABC series The Heights on which he served as showrunner for two seasons. Clarke is also an AWGIE nominated screenwriter. He was the script producer for Oddlands, the ABC and Adelaide Festival collaboration with Back-to-Back Theatre, and wrote for the teen football series Mustangs FC.
Publisher Ali Watts said: “Through Fiona’s hugely popular series of crime novels, DCI Jack Hawksworth has found a very special place in readers’ hearts. We can’t wait to see his thrilling adventures adapted for the screen.”
McIntosh commented: “So excited, especially for his loyal readers, that we are going to see Jack portrayed on the small screen soon.”
The series will be distributed by Fremantle International.