Sundance, BBCWW join The Honourable Woman as Gyllenhall signs up

Sundance Channel in the US and BBC Worldwide have come on board upcoming drama The Honourable Woman.

Maggie Gyllenhaal has signed up as the lead in the Hugo Blick (The Shadow Line) drama, which was commissioned by BBC Two in the UK.

Sundance will be a coproduction partner and show the series in the US. BBC Worldwide, meanwhile, has taken international rights and will sell the show internationally.

The series goes into production this month. It follows Nessa Stein (Gyllenhaal), a peacemaker in the Arab-Israeli conflict who finds herself at the centre of a murder mystery and ensuing international political crisis.

Speaking about the casting news, Polly Hill, head of independent drama for the BBC said: “Hugo Blick has created a complex character in Nessa, with an extraordinary story and the combination of Hugo’s stunning scripts and Maggie Gyllenhaal in the lead role is an exciting and powerful combination.”

Sundance Channel president, Sarah Barnett said: “The talent both behind and in front of the camera is remarkable, we are so excited to present this brilliant and wildly entertaining mini-series to our viewers.”

The series was commissioned by the controller of BBC Drama Ben Stephenson and his counterpart at BBC Two, Janice Hadlow.

It is being produced by ex Tiger Aspect execs Greg Brenman and Roanna Benn’s new production company Drama Republic alongside Hugo Blick’s Eight Rooks Productions.

The show will be on BBC Two and Sundance next year.