Toby Whithouse will pen the new TV adaptation of Mervyn Peake’s ‘Gormenghast’ novels.
The ‘Doctor Who’ writer is set to create the show for Freemantle, who crafted a deal to adapt all of Peake’s fantasy series, alongside Neil Gaiman and Akiva Goldsman, after winning a hotly contested battle to option the five books.
The story – comprised of four books, ‘Titus Groan’, ‘Gormenghast’, ‘Titus Alone’ and a novella, ‘Boy in Darkness’ – follows the inhabitants of Castle Gormenghast, a sprawling, decaying, gothic-like structure ruled by the noble family of Groan.
The new series will mark the first televised take on the books since the BBC brought the first two books to the screen in a four-part series in 2000, and Neil and Akiva are to oversee the show alongside Barry Spikings and David A. Stern.
The 48-year-old producer also created ‘Being Human’ and recently scripted the upcoming BBC dystopian drama ‘Noughts And Crosses’ – which follows an alternate world where white and black people are segregated.
The tale follows lead character Sephy, a member of the ruling black class, the ‘Crosses’, and her childhood sweetheart Callum, a ‘Nought’ and member of the white underclass.
The BBC synopsis of the drama reads: "Against a background of prejudice, distrust and powerful rebellion mounting on the streets, a passionate romance builds between Sephy and Callum which will lead them both into terrible danger."
Toby is taking over the reins from the project’s original screenwriters, ‘Youngers’ writer Levi David Addai and ‘Life on Mars’ co-creator Matthew Graham – after project delays meant a change in writer.
Toby Whithouse to pen Gormenghast adaptation with Neil Gaiman
