Benedict Cumberbatch will star in and executive produce an adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel “The Child in Time,” TheWrap has confirmed.
In their first television commission, Pinewood Television and Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch TV will produce the 90-minute one-off film for BBC One, with Masterpiece co-producing.
Cumberbatch will star as Stephen Lewis, a successful writer of children’s books, who is confronted with the unthinkable: the loss of his child.
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The death sets Stephen and his wife on diverging paths as both struggle with an all-consuming grief. With the passage of time, a balance of sorts returns, until hope surfaces and triumphs unexpectedly.
“I read the novel years ago and it stayed with me – profound, beautiful and very moving,” Cumberbatch said. “Only Ian McEwan could write about loss with such telling honesty. We’re very excited to have Stephen Butchard’s subtle and brilliant adaptation, and in Julian Farino we have an extraordinary director who delivers emotional truth. I’m so proud ‘The Child In Time’ will be the first drama produced by SunnyMarch TV.”
Stephen Butchard will write the screenplay with Julian Farino directing. The film was commissioned by Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, and Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content.
Pinewood Television and SunnyMarch TV will produce. Executive Producers are Helen Gregory for Pinewood Television, Cumberbatch, Adam Ackland and David Boulter for SunnyMarch TV, Lucy Richer for the BBC, Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece and Stephen Butchard.
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