ITV Commissions Ghostly Murder Mystery

ITV has commissioned Midwinter of the Spirit, a crime drama with a supernatural twist.

Merrily Watkins has become one of the few women priests working as an exorcist; a job increasingly mistrusted by the modern Church and rarely talked about, even though it operates in virtually every diocese in the UK.

Merrily exhibits doubts and scepticism, but her knowledge of the paranormal underworld brings her to the notice of local police, who seek her help in the investigation of a murder.

Based on the books written by Phil Rickman, ITV has commissioned a three-part drama for ITV Encore, Midwinter of the Spirit, to be adapted by BAFTA winning screenwriter Stephen Volk (Afterlife, The Awakening, Ghostwatch) for ITV Studios, featuring Merrily Watkins as the central character.

When a man is found murdered in the most horrific circumstances imaginable, Merrily becomes convinced that Satanists are operating in the city. She’s called to Hereford General Hospital to perform an exorcism, as nurses are treating a chronically ill man known for cruelty to animals and his abuse of women.

"They believe when he dies, that evil won’t die with him," Sister Cullen tells Merrily before she begins to pray for his soul.

Merrily then works to help police as their enquiries take the investigation into a very dark and dangerous world.

The show has been commissioned for transmission on ITV Encore by ITV’s Director of Drama.

(IT/MH)