G.R. HALLIDAY
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The Express 'ITV's new 'cat and mouse' crime thriller perfect for Shetland fans'
May 11, 2026
The Express 'ITV's new 'cat and mouse' crime thriller perfect for Shetland fans'
May 11, 2026

Rounding out the cast of The Dark are Emun Elliott as Barclay Adams and Helen Baxendale as Bethany — two parents haunted by their history, who are far from welcoming when Detective Monica arrives at their door with a case connected to their missing son, reports the Daily Record.

The book's author, GR Halliday, was full of admiration when speaking about Matt Hartley's adaptation of his work and the dedication of Poison Pen Studios.

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May 11, 2026
Anthea Represents 'Olivier winner and two-time Tony nominee Laura Donnelly has been announced as the lead in new ITV crime drama ’The Dark’'
May 9, 2026
Anthea Represents 'Olivier winner and two-time Tony nominee Laura Donnelly has been announced as the lead in new ITV crime drama ’The Dark’'
May 9, 2026

Filming has commenced on a new ITV crime drama series called 'The Dark'.  Laura Donnelly will be playing the lead role of Scottish Detective Monica Kennedy who is on the hunt for a serial killer in rural Scotland. 

The six-part thriller is based on G. R. Halliday’s 2020 novel 'From The Shadows'. It follows the investigation into the murder of a young man whose body is discovered, eerily staged, in the Scottish wilderness. As the case unfolds, DI Kennedy begins to suspect that this is only the first in a series of killings—setting the stage for a tense cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer lurking within the community.

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May 9, 2026
Red online 'The next The Fall is coming soon – and it's a "hide-behind-the-sofa" thriller with "unguessable twists" '
February 10, 2026
Red online 'The next The Fall is coming soon – and it's a "hide-behind-the-sofa" thriller with "unguessable twists" '
February 10, 2026

Missing The Fall? Us too. Thankfully, there's a new series on the horizon that could fill the Paul Spector/Stella Gibson hole in our lives. Set in the Scottish Highlands, The Dark will follow a detective on the case of a serial killer devastating a rural village – and it sounds just as gripping. 

The six-part ITV drama comes from Poison Pen Studios, who are also behind twisty new relationship series Adultery. It also comes hot on the heels of other hit Scottish crime dramas like Karen Pirie. 

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February 10, 2026
Radio Times 'Karen Pirie star confirmed for dark new serial killer thriller and it's "something special" '
January 29, 2026
Radio Times 'Karen Pirie star confirmed for dark new serial killer thriller and it's "something special" '
January 29, 2026

Karen Pirie star Mark Rowley has found his next major role in a new ITV thriller titled The Dark.

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January 29, 2026
Good Housekeeping 'Trigger Point meets Cold Feet: The Dark is ITV’s “hide behind the sofa” crime thriller to mentally prepare for'
January 12, 2026
Good Housekeeping 'Trigger Point meets Cold Feet: The Dark is ITV’s “hide behind the sofa” crime thriller to mentally prepare for'
January 12, 2026

Get ready for your next TV addiction, as there’s a crime thriller coming to ITV that you’ll need to mentally prepare for. That’s right, The Dark is a “hide behind the sofa” series, according to the drama’s production head Ben Stephenson. It follows a Scottish detective who uncovers a spate of eerie killings in the wilderness and, with stars from Trigger Point (Mark Rowley) and Cold Feet (Helen Baxendale, pictured above in Death In Paradise) in the cast, it’s set to be a gripping watch.

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January 12, 2026
ITV Facebook 'The Dark'
January 9, 2026
ITV Facebook 'The Dark'
January 9, 2026

‘The Dark’, a new six-part thriller starring Laura Donnelly, Mark Rowley, Emun Elliott and Helen Baxendale.

Based on GR Halliday’s novel ‘From the Shadows’, a body found staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness forces a rural community to face a terrifying reality… there’s a serial killer hidden amongst them

#TheDark

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January 9, 2026
Hello 'ITV announces 'brilliantly gripping' serial killer thriller novel adaptation'
December 9, 2025
Hello 'ITV announces 'brilliantly gripping' serial killer thriller novel adaptation'
December 9, 2025

"A body is soon found on the coast of the Scottish Highlands. Detective Inspector Monica Kennedy stands by the victim in this starkly beautiful and remote landscape. Instinct tells her the case won’t begin and end with this one death. Meanwhile, Inverness-based social worker Michael Bach is worried about one of his clients whose last correspondence was a single ambiguous text message; Nichol Morgan has been missing for seven days.

"As Monica is faced with catching a murderer who has been meticulously watching and waiting, Michael keeps searching for Nichol, desperate to find him before the killer claims another victim."

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December 9, 2025
Hello 'Outlander star to lead ITV's new Scotland-set serial killer drama The Dark'
November 18, 2025
Hello 'Outlander star to lead ITV's new Scotland-set serial killer drama The Dark'
November 18, 2025

Laura Donnelly is set to play Scottish Detective Monica Kennedy in The Dark, which is adapted from G.R. Halliday's novel, From the Shadows

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November 18, 2025
Deadline 'ITV's "chilling" new serial killer drama 'that will keep you guessing' casts its lead Scottish detective'
October 30, 2025
Deadline 'ITV's "chilling" new serial killer drama 'that will keep you guessing' casts its lead Scottish detective'
October 30, 2025

Donnelly, also seen in Sugar opposite Colin Farrell, is set to play Scottish detective Monica Kennedy in the TV adaptation of GR Halliday's novel From the Shadows (via Deadline).

As the series' protagonist, the hardened DI investigates the murder of a young man whose body has been eerily staged. Monica fears the killing is the beginning of a campaign to sever the ties of the local rural community. 

As paranoia rises and secrets are forced into the light, the locals realise there's a serial killer hidden amongst them. 

Donnelly is the only star to be attached to the project at present, as additional casting is in process and will be revealed in due course.

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October 30, 2025
Glasgow Live 'Outlander star fronts upcoming ITV crime drama set in Scotland'
October 22, 2025
Glasgow Live 'Outlander star fronts upcoming ITV crime drama set in Scotland'
October 22, 2025

Adapted from GR Halliday's first novel, The Dark is a six-episode series following Scottish Detective Monica Kennedy (portrayed by Laura Donnelly) and Detective Connor Crawford (portrayed by Mark Rowley).

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October 22, 2025
What to Watch 'The Dark: everything we know'
October 12, 2025
What to Watch 'The Dark: everything we know'
October 12, 2025

Get ready for a dark journey into the Scottish wilderness in The Dark, an upcoming six-part ITV crime drama.

Based on G.R. Halliday's debut novel, "From The Shadows", the series will tell the story of DI Monica Kennedy, who finds herself on the trail of a depraved serial killer in rural Scotland.

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October 12, 2025
The Sun 'LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! ITV drama starring Outlander favourite kicks off filming in Glasgow'
October 9, 2025
The Sun 'LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! ITV drama starring Outlander favourite kicks off filming in Glasgow'
October 9, 2025

The Dark, a chilling new thriller series based on GR Halliday’s novel From the Shadows, will star Outlander’s Laura Donnelly.

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October 9, 2025
Greenock Telegraph 'The Dark: Update on filming of ITV crime drama in Greenock'
October 9, 2025
Greenock Telegraph 'The Dark: Update on filming of ITV crime drama in Greenock'
October 9, 2025

Production crews have been hard at work in the west end since Monday shooting further scenes for the new serial killer drama, The Dark.

The four days of filming this week centred on a property in Finnart Street as well as on Annexe Park in nearby Fox Street.

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October 9, 2025
AOL.com - ITV's "chilling" new serial killer drama 'that will keep you guessing' casts its lead Scottish detective
October 8, 2025
AOL.com - ITV's "chilling" new serial killer drama 'that will keep you guessing' casts its lead Scottish detective
October 8, 2025

ITV has announced a "chilling" new serial killer thriller series set in the wilds of rural Scotland.

Titled The Dark, the six-part series begins when the body of a young man is found eerily posed in the idyllic Scottish wilderness.

Based on GR Halliday’s debut novel From the Shadows, the show follows detective Monica Kennedy as she begins the investigation into what she believes is just the start of a terrifying campaign.

The synopsis reads: "As paranoia rises, suspicions and secrets are forced into the light, and the locals start to realise that there is a serial killer hidden amongst them.

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October 8, 2025
Hello 'Downton Abbey and Friends stars join ITV's new 6-part serial killer thriller'
September 30, 2025
Hello 'Downton Abbey and Friends stars join ITV's new 6-part serial killer thriller'
September 30, 2025

ITV has announced the impressive cast of its upcoming six-part serial killer thriller, The Dark, which is based on GR Halliday's debut novel, From the Shadows, and follows Scottish Detective Monica Kennedy as she investigates the discovery of a young man's body in the idyllic Scottish wilderness. Laura Donnelly (The Nevers, Sugar) was previously announced as the show's leading star, taking on the role of Monica, and will be joined by a host of familiar faces, including Friends star Helen Baxendale and Downton Abbey's Cal MacAninch.

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September 30, 2025
The Hollywood Reporter ITV Studios-Backed Poison Pen Names Fern McCauley Head of Development'
September 23, 2025
The Hollywood Reporter ITV Studios-Backed Poison Pen Names Fern McCauley Head of Development'
September 23, 2025

McCauley’s appointment comes as the studio, which focuses on high-end premium drama across London and Los Angeles, prepares for the launch of two major new dramas on ITV later this year. Adultery is described as “a provocative love-story drama,” stars Dominic Cooperand Romola Garai and is written by Danny Brocklehurst. And serial killer thriller The Dark, starring Laura Donnelly, is based on GR Halliday’s debut novel, From The Shadows, and adapted by Matt Hartley. 

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September 23, 2025
Greenock Telegraph 'Laura Donnelly and Mark Rowley in Greenock for new ITV show The Dark'
September 15, 2025
Greenock Telegraph 'Laura Donnelly and Mark Rowley in Greenock for new ITV show The Dark'
September 15, 2025

College bosses were delighted to welcome Poison Pen Studios to the building with students even getting a chance to work with the production teams.

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September 15, 2025
TV Guide 'The Dark on ITV: Plot, location, start date, and latest news about upcoming 'serial killer thriller''
July 15, 2025
TV Guide 'The Dark on ITV: Plot, location, start date, and latest news about upcoming 'serial killer thriller''
July 15, 2025

The Dark will introduce another detective to our screens as ITV has announced an upcoming TV adaptation of the novel From the Shadows. And there can never be too many sleuths walking the streets in our opinion.

The channel describes the upcoming series as a “serial killer thriller”, with an “unforgettable series lead” at the helm. We’re introduced to Detective Inspector Monica Kennedy, who must solve a murder in the Scottish Highlands.

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July 15, 2025
Hollywood Reporter 'Serial Killer Thriller Series 'The Dark' From ITV Studios' Poison Pen Gets Green Light'
July 10, 2025
Hollywood Reporter 'Serial Killer Thriller Series 'The Dark' From ITV Studios' Poison Pen Gets Green Light'
July 10, 2025

ITV’s director of drama Polly Hill greenlit the six-part show. “The Dark is a compelling new drama which introduces the fearless DI Monica Kennedy, who has to try and catch a serial killer in this really chilling Scottish story,” said Hill. “Matt’s adaptation is brilliantly gripping and I am delighted to be adapting this novel with him and the team at Poison Pen.”

Stephenson added: “The Dark is a gripping hide behind the sofa thriller with unguessable twists and a central character whose mysterious past gives her an extraordinary insight into a twisted killer as well as an overpowering empathy for those left in the killer’s wake.”

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July 10, 2025
ITV 'ITV Commissions Serial Killer Thriller, The Dark, Set in the Wilds of Rural Scotland, Adapted by Matt Hartley and Produced by Poison Pen Studios'
July 2, 2025
ITV 'ITV Commissions Serial Killer Thriller, The Dark, Set in the Wilds of Rural Scotland, Adapted by Matt Hartley and Produced by Poison Pen Studios'
July 2, 2025

ITV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill has commissioned a six-part series, The Dark, based upon GR Halliday’s debut novel, From the Shadows, adapted by Matt Hartley and produced by Poison Pen Studios, part of ITV Studios. 

The Dark marks Poison Pen's second commission for ITV since launching in January 2023. 

Commented Polly Hill:

 “The Dark is a compelling new drama which introduces the fearless DI Monica Kennedy, who has to try and catch a serial killer in this really chilling Scottish story. Matt’s adaptation is brilliantly gripping and I am delighted to be adapting this novel with him and the team at Poison Pen.” 

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July 2, 2025
ITV commissions serial killer thriller adaptation The Dark from Poison Pen Studios
July 1, 2025
ITV commissions serial killer thriller adaptation The Dark from Poison Pen Studios
July 1, 2025

The 6×6’ series is being adapted by Matt Hartley and produced by Poison Pen Studios, part of ITV Studios. The Dark marks Poison Pen’s second commission for ITV since launching in January 2023.

In the story, when the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness, detective Monica Kennedy fears this is just the beginning of a terrifying campaign that will strike the heart of a rural community. As paranoia rises, suspicions and secrets are forced into the light, and the locals start to realise a serial killer is hidden among them.

Read more →
July 1, 2025

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