Wonderhood Studios, the indie behind Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards is behind a new drama about former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell.
The 90 minute film for 5, will explore how Murrell, embezzled £400,000 from the SNP over a 12 year period.
It will draw on an extensive range of factual sources including evidence gathered by Police Scotland, The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; extensive TV and newspaper interviews with Nicola Sturgeon; and interviews with other key protagonists.
“This project reflects our growing ambition to develop quality dramas about contemporary stories that resonate with broad audiences. We are delighted to be working with the brilliant team at 5 once again,” said David Abraham, Executive Chairman, Wonderhood Studios.
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By the end of 2022, Sturgeon was Scotland’s most popular and longest serving political leader. But months later, police came to visit her family home, arresting her husband.
It was then revealed that Murrell had deceived her for more than a decade, falsifying, receipts, gaslighting junior staff and using secret codes in order to embezzle £400,000 to bankroll his compulsive shopping habit.
He spent the money on a range of luxury household goods, including high-end coffee machines, luxury watches, a robotic lawnmower, a pressure washer and a £124,550 motorhome as well as two luxury salt and pepper grinders, worth £2,618.16.
In May, he pleaded guilty and was sent to prison for over 5 years.
“This is an epic tale of Shakespearean proportions,” said Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer, 5.
“An extraordinary tale of power, envy, deception and greed. It’s both a high-stakes political melodrama and bizarre domestic drama that has dominated headlines and gossip columns. We will be pulling together the events and characters involved to create a compelling revealing drama, as well as answering that very important question – why would anyone pay £2,600 for a pair of salt & pepper grinders…?!”
To Nicola, Love Peter (w/t) was commissioned by Guy Davies (Consultant Editor for Commissioning, 5) and Paul Testar (Commissioning Editor, Scripted, 5).
Scottish and BAFTA-nominated Director Misha Manson-Smith (The Feed, Kiss Me First and No Offence) is directing. It will be written by Scottish BAFTA-nominated Screenwriter Lucy Brydon (Body of Water).
The cast has yet to be announced.
