Jack Thorne to pen new drama in National Treasure, Kiri, trilogy.

UK screenwriter Jack Thorne will pen the third in a trilogy of dramas for Channel 4, The Light.

To follow on from National Treasure & Kiri, The Light (working title) will look at disability and focus on the repercussions of a catastrophic disaster that befalls a community in a small Welsh town which has seen more prosperous times.

The disaster claims the lives of many, children included and, as personal and communal grief gives way to a torrent of anger and blame, the community finds itself torn apart.

The Light will explore the complex web of decisions and circumstances, both political and personal, that led to the fatal event. The community feels powerless in the face of seemingly inexorable political and business forces but the drama asks to what extent they are complicit in their own fate. The drama will look at how the media spotlight in the wake of such a disaster can affect a community.

If National Treasure was about shame and Kiri was about blame, The Light will be about justice.

Jack Thorne, writer, says: “I cannot believe Channel 4 has afforded us this opportunity. At the beginning of National Treasure we started talking about the possibilities of a trilogy which peeked behind the curtains of this country and tried to ask difficult questions about who we are and how the media paints us. I am so delighted we are going to get to finish that trilogy off.”

Shooting is expected to begin in 2019, with Hulu to screen in the US.

An Australian broadcaster is yet to be confirmed.