Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Ben Stephenson, Controller, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Drama Commissioning, announced today that he has commissioned over 20 hours of original authored drama for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One next year.

The Silence, Luther (working title), A Passionate Woman, The Deep and Sherlock all demonstrate the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's commitment to make a full range of drama programmes that will entertain, challenge and engage audiences.

Ben Stephenson says: "I couldn't be more excited about the wealth of authored drama that I have commissioned for the first half of 2010. It is a credit to the writers and producers of this country that so much astonishing work is coming through.

"All of these pieces start and end with a writer's startling vision, whether it is Fiona Seres's and Simon Donald's brilliantly-imagined serials, the first thrilling series from Neil Cross, an incredibly personal piece of writing from Kay Mellor or the sheer chutzpah of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss's modern take on Sherlock Holmes.

"Following on from the success of Peter Bowker's Occupation and Russell T Davies's Torchwood, I hope these new commissions demonstrate the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's renewed commitment to drama series and serials and give us a reason to be proud of all the talent coming out of Britain at the moment."

Full programme information

The Silence, 4 x 60-minute serial, written by Fiona Seres, made by Company Pictures

A unique coming-of-age drama about a sheltered 18-year-old deaf girl who unwittingly witnesses a murder and consequently becomes the key witness.

A Passionate Woman, 2 x 90-minutes, written by Kay Mellor, made by Rollem

Kay Mellor's play adapted for TV into two stories: the first focuses on a mother's affair in the Fifties and the second is set in the Eighties and looks at the consequences of that affair 30 years on. A Passionate Woman is a very personal look at the changing role of women over the last 50 years.

Luther (working title), 6 x 60-minute series, written by Neil Cross, made by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Drama Production

A dark psychological crime drama in which John Luther, a detective struggling with his own terrible demons, might just be as dangerous as the depraved murderers he hunts. Each week, the killer's identity will be known to the audience, making every story both a ticking clock and a psychic duel between hunter and quarry – who have more in common than either would like to think.

The Deep, 5 x 60 minute serial, written by Simon Donald, made by Tiger Aspect Productions

A thriller set far below the Arctic ice, the action follows the crew of an oceanographer's submarine as they search the final frontiers of Earth for unknown and remarkable life forms. When inexplicable circumstances cause catastrophe to strike, the crew find themselves stranded with no power, limited oxygen and no communication with the surface. And they are completely alone – or so they think...

Sherlock, 3 x 90 minutes, co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, made by Hartswood Films

A contemporary take on the classic stories, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Dr John Watson. Sherlock is a thrilling, funny, fast-paced adventure series set in present-day London.

MO/JP3

Information for viewers

More content about these dramas will be published, as transmission approaches, on these pages: