Channel 4 to develop historical drama White Gold

British broadcaster Channel 4 is to develop Giles Milton’s epic historical drama White Gold after its rights arm 4Rights struck a deal with Red Arrow Entertainment.

Red Arrow, which is owned by German commercial broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, optioned the rights of the book in conjunction with producer Piers Tempest and brought My Week With Marilyn and Primeval writer Adrian Hodges on board to adapt it to TV.

Hodges will write the two hour script and bible for the proposed twelve part series. Red Arrow’s head of drama and comedy will serve as executive producer and Sophie Gardiner will lead development for Channel 4.

The book tells the story of Thomas Pellow, a young Cornish merchant seized at sea and bought by the sultan of Morocco as his slave.

Red Arrow International will handle global distribution of the series.

Gardiner said: “We are delighted to be developing White Gold with Adrian Hodges and Red Arrow. It is a show of great scale and ambition, a story of a fascinating period of our history and one which we would love to see on our screens.”

White Gold is the latest international production deal struck by 4Rights following its investment in the US remake of French drama series Pigalle, which is being adapted by Dexter’s James Manos.