POP Fiction Entertainment co-developing Madison Knight series

Sydney-based production house POP Family Entertainment, is co-developing an eight hour drama inspired by the Madison Knight female detective novels written by Canadian author Carolyn Arnold.

The series will star Helene Joy (Durham County, Murdoch Mysteries) and Orion Lee (First Cow), with Daniel Nettheim (Line of Duty, Broadchurch, Doctor Who, Halifax: Retribution, Rush) attached to direct.

Australian writer Justin Monjo (Storm Boy, Jungle, Farscape) is developing the series with Canada’s Lynn Coady (Orphan Black, Diggstown).

POP Family Entertainment is partnering with Montreal-based Muse Entertainment (Coroner, The Murders, Being Human) Lynn Coady, Helene Joy, Matthew Lesher, Justin Monjo, Jesse Prupas and Carmel Travers will serve as executive producers. The series is set on the coastline of Sydney, and in the winter wilderness of British Columbia, Canada.

Helene Joy will star as Madison Knight, the bold and uncompromising detective who is harboring an explosive secret but will stop at nothing to bring criminals to justice both inside and outside the law.

Helene Joy said, “Working for years on a successful series had me searching for another great series with the same qualities; a core cast of characters that you become addicted to, in a strong crime procedural format. As I read the books, I was immediately taken with Madison as a leading female character. She is unapologetic, unpredictable and deeply flawed. An extremely reluctant heroine if you will. What I love most is her sardonic nature and deeply sarcastic sense of humor. She doesn’t suffer fools and has little time for small talk.”

Jesse Prupas, Senior Vice President, Muse Entertainment, said: “We are incredibly proud to have produced several female-led detective series such as Bellevue (CBC, WGN), Coroner (CBC, CW) and The Murders (Citytv, Sundance Now). Madison Knight is a continuation of this conscious decision to depict rich and complex leading female characters. We look forward to teaming with Pop Fiction Entertainment and working with Helene, Jusin and Lynn, who share our creative vision and enthusiasm to bring a Madison Knight series to its fans and viewers around the world.”

POP Fiction Entertainment’s Carmel Travers added: “Working with the team at Muse has been something Jesse Prupas and I have been trying to make happen for a few years. The intriguing Madison Knight stories, combined with fabulous talent like Helene Joy, Orion Lee, Justin Monjo, Lynn Coady and Daniel Nettheim has finally brought Muse and Pop together. Being able to develop storylines that seamlessly work across the two continents is a hugely satisfying experience. We’re looking forward to bringing the series to the screen.”

A broadcaster is yet to be announced.