Hat Trick reaches first sales for Jed Mercurio crime thriller "Payback"

Hat Trick International (HTI) announces the first sales for "Payback" (6x60'), the latest drama series to come out of Jed Mercurio’s HTM Television. The series written by acclaimed screenwriter Debbie O’Malley ("All Creatures Great and Small") has been picked up by NPO Netherlands, Cosmote Greece and RTÉ Ireland ahead of its debut this autumn on ITV1 in the UK.

The compelling, character-led series centres on Lexie Noble, played by Morven Christie ("The Bay"), whose comfortable suburban lifestyle is shattered when she discovers her husband has been laundering money for a notorious crime lord. Starring alongside Christie are Peter Mullan ("The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power"), Prasanna Puwanarajah ("The Crown"), Derek Riddell ("Happy Valley") and Stephen Mackintosh ("Lucky Man").

"Payback" is produced by HTM Television ("Trigger Point"), the production company co-owned by Mercurio and Hat Trick Productions. It was commissioned by ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, and is a co-production with BritBox International in a deal brokered by HTI. Britbox will serve as Payback’s exclusive home in the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Nordic territories. The series will be directed by Jennie Darnell ("Trigger Point") and produced by Eric Coulter ("Shetland").

LONDON TV SCREENINGS
"Payback" is headlining HTI’s London TV Screenings Showcase, which will feature a preview of the crime drama, along with on-stage interviews with keys members of the cast and creative team, including Morven Christie and Debbie O’Malley.

HTI will also be unveiling several factual and comedy titles next week, including a new series from BAFTA-winning KEO Films and Channel 4 stalwart George Clarke, the architect and presenter behind such hits as "George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces" and "The Restoration Man." The line-up also includes premium factual series and new formats from Plum Pictures, Outline Productions, STV and Trilogy Media, as well as a new comedy from Hat Trick Productions.

Sarah Tong, director of sales at Hat Trick International, said: “'Payback' is more than a gripping crime drama: it also explores the place where integrity meets temptation — and how far any of us would go if we thought we could get away with it. Debbie has come up with thrilling storyline, which Jed has transformed into brilliant television with the help of a stellar line-up of creative talent. You don’t have to be a detective to work out that 'Payback' is going to be a hit with audiences round the world.”

Jed Mercurio said: “Everyone at HTM Television is absolutely thrilled with 'Payback'. From Debbie O'Malley's brilliant writing and Jennie Darnell's compelling direction, to wonderfully layered and complex performances from a cast led by Morven Christie and Peter Mullan, 'Payback' is an emotional rollercoaster that will have audiences riveted from start to finish.”