ITV are set to bring yet another intriguing drama to our screens.
Two of the UK’s most renowned actors, David Threlfall and John Simm, are to join forces in new ITV drama CODE OF A KILLER, produced by World Productions.
Code of a Killer is based on the extraordinary true story of Alec Jeffreys’ discovery of DNA fingerprinting and its first use by Detective Chief Superintendent David Baker in catching a double murderer. Professor Alec Jeffreys’ DNA fingerprinting revolutionised the way police investigate crime. It is arguably the most important contribution to criminal investigation ever made.
Filming is due to start at the end of September 2014 and will focus on how Jeffreys’ science and Baker’s investigative vision created the single biggest leap in the history of criminal investigation.
David Threlfall takes the role of David Baker who between 1983 and 1987 headed up the investigation into the brutal murders of two Leicestershire schoolgirls, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.
Only a few miles away, Dr Alec Jeffreys, played by John Simm, was a scientist at Leicester University who, on 10 September 1984, invented a remarkable technique to read each individual’s unique DNA fingerprint.
When a local teenager admitted to one of the murders but not the other, Baker asked Jeffreys to analyse the DNA evidence left at the crime scenes. Both men were shocked to discover that the teenager was innocent, his confession false. DCS Baker then took the extraordinarily brave step to launch the world’s first ever DNA manhunt, testing over five thousand local men to track down the killer.
Made by Line of Duty producers World Productions, Code of a Killer has been written by Michael Crompton (Kidnap & Ransom) with the full knowledge and input of retired Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys and former Detective Chief Superintendent David Baker.
The drama will also feature Lorcan Cranitch (Penny Dreadful), Robert Glenister (Spooks), Siobhan Redmond (Between The Lines), Anna Madeley (Sense & Sensibility), Dorothy Atkinson (Call The Midwife), Andrew Tiernan (The Great Fire, The Driver), Jaz Deol (Restless Dust), Hannah Walters (Whitechapel), Lydia Rose Bewley (The Inbetweeners) and Ged Simons (Downton Abbey).
The drama will be directed by James Strong (Broadchurch, United), produced by Priscilla Parish (Line of Duty) and executive produced by Simon Heath (Line of Duty, The Great Train Robbery).
Simon Heath explains about the new drama: “Code of a Killer is a testament to the pioneering science of Alec Jeffreys and the foresight and determination of David Baker. Together they brought justice for two grieving families and changed the course of criminal investigation forever.”
Members of the families of both Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth have been consulted about the drama and filming will take place in Leicester and London.
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