Catherine Zeta-Jones is set to star in “Kill Jackie” (working title), a new revenge thriller series from Prime Video, Fremantle and Steel Springs Pictures. The show is based on the novel “The Price You Pay,” written by bestselling author Nick Harkaway as his pseudonym Aidan Truhen, and begins production in March.
The Oscar winner will portray Jackie Price, “who has been living a wealthy, luxurious existence for the last 20 years – traveling the world, selling fine art using sophisticated tax loopholes and, above all, trying to stay anonymous after escaping a dangerous past as an international cocaine dealer,” the plot description reads. “But just as life starts to feel a little boring, it takes a sudden lethal turn when she discovers The Seven Demons, a squad of the world’s most terrifying hitmen, have been hired to kill her. Assuming someone from her past is behind it, Jackie unleashes her old instincts and embarks on a wild, dangerous game plan: to take down The Demons one by one before they kill her. However, she soon realizes her own demons are much more terrifying than the ruthless killers on her trail… and her buried secrets ultimately lead her much closer to home, with surprising consequences.”
Zeta-Jones, who also serves as an executive producer, said in a statement: “I’m thrilled to be a part of ‘Kill Jackie’ (w/t) both behind and in front of the camera. The opportunity to bring this multifaceted character to life, and explore a female driven plot that encompasses empowerment, identity and redemption is something I’m looking forward to.”
In a deal led by Fremantle’s Jamie Lynn and brokered by Rebecca Dundon and Fran Denny, “Kill Jackie” will stream on Prime Video in the U.K., Ireland, Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Canada. Fremantle will handle all other sales except for the U.S., which Steel Springs Pictures will spearhead.
“’Kill Jackie’ (w/t) is a thrilling series and we are excited to be working with Catherine Zeta-Jones and the incredible creative team to bring this story to life,” Prime Video U.K.’s head of TV Hannah Blyth said. “With its bold storytelling, striking visual style, and unexpected twists, the series is set to captivate Prime Video audiences internationally — we can’t wait for them to experience it.”
The TV adaptation was created and co-written by Conor Keane, who is also an associate producer. Damon Thomas (“Killing Eve”) will serve as lead director, while “Gangs of London’s” Tom Butterworth is the writer and showrunner.
“I loved Nick’s gonzo thriller of a book,” Butterworth said in a statement. “Our ambition is to twist and expand his world into something equally funny, dark, crazed and unique. Or die trying.”
In addition to Zeta-Jones, executive producers include Peter Lawson and Jose Augustin Valdes for Steel Springs Pictures, Dante Di Loreto for Fremantle as well as Butterworth, Thomas and Jeffrey Levine. José Luis Escolar’s Deabru Kalea Filmeak is supervising production in Bizkaia.
“When I first got my hands on Nick’s novel, I knew this project needed a team of creatives who shared a dark sense of humor and a touch of madness to bring this crime caper to life,” said Steel Springs Pictures’ Peter Lawson. “We’re thrilled to have found that in the captivating creative force of Catherine Zeta-Jones, the character-driven hilarity of writer Conor Keane and showrunner Tom Butterworth and the sure-handed brilliance of director Damon Thomas.”
Added Christian Vesper, Fremantle CEO of global drama and film: “‘Kill Jackie’ (w/t) is an irreverent and contemporary thriller which is all at once dramatic, escapist and darkly comedic. Catherine Zeta-Jones shines as Jackie, and together with our incredible creative team, twisting storyline and elaborate international backdrop, I’ve no doubt audiences all over the world are going to be hooked.”
The book rights deal was handled by Curtis Brown’s media rights team on behalf of Patrick Walsh at PEW Literary. Zeta-Jones is represented by UTA and Ziffren Brittenham LLP. Butterworth is represented by Curtis Brown (Nick Marston and Katie Battcock).
