Sid Gentle Films Ltd, AMC and Alibi today announce the greenlight of the new modern-day Faustian thriller Ragdoll, based on the novel by Daniel Cole. The project will air on AMC in the United States and Alibi in the UK. The pitch black and darkly witted thriller will be adapted into six parts, with a writing team led by Freddy Syborn (Ms Marvel, Bad Education).
Six people have been murdered, dismembered and sewn into the shape of one grotesque body – nicknamed the ‘Ragdoll’. Assigned to the shocking case are DS Nathan Wolf, recently reinstated to the London Met; his best friend and boss, DI Emily Baxter; and the unit’s new recruit, DC Lake Edmunds. The ‘Ragdoll Killer’ taunts the police by sending them a list of his next victims, with Wolf’s name among them. And with those victims to protect, our heroes soon come under intense public scrutiny. A gruesomely imaginative serial killer thriller, Ragdoll also captures the fascinating but flawed friends struggling with the consequences of institutionalization and trauma.
Filming will commence in Spring 2021 around London and air in late 2021. Cast will be announced at a later date.
Freddy Syborn says; “I hope Ragdoll will be a visually exciting, darkly funny thriller in which the personal is the political. Above all, I hope our characters can make you laugh, then break your heart.”
Sally Woodward Gentle, Executive Producer, Sid Gentle Films says; “I am so excited that we are embarking on this twisty and sophisticated piece with Freddy and the team. AMC have already proved themselves to be brilliant partners and we can’t wait to work with Alibi.”
Dan McDermott, AMC Networks’ President, Original Programming and Co-President of AMC Studios says; “We have enjoyed and been impressed with Sid Gentle Films during our partnership on Killing Eve, so we jumped at the opportunity to work with them again on Ragdoll. This dark yet comedic project written by the talented Freddy has the makings of a fast-paced yet cerebral thriller featuring the premium storytelling and compelling characters viewers expect from AMC.”
Philippa Collie Cousins, Commissioning Editor, Drama, UKTV says; “Ragdoll is a dystopian, mesmerising, wickedly funny piece of hard-boiled detective screen fiction. It invites the audience into a timeless world of crime thriller, sending us on a rollercoaster ride with flawed, compelling Wolf, his best friend/cop partner Baxter and rookie Edmunds. Atmospheric, they tread a maverick route to the truth in a broken world, with echoes of Raymond Chandler meets Tina Fey in their memorable banter. Beautifully designed, with the pure evil, suspense and attention to detail of Silence of the Lambs.”
Emma Ayech, channel director for Alibi adds: “I am thrilled to be bringing this exciting series to Alibi and to be working with such great partners in Sid Gentle Films and AMC. Ragdoll is a dark and twisty murder mystery that will hook our viewers with its macabre sense of humour and addictive plot; it will be a great addition to our growing slate of brand new British crime drama.”
