'Foyle's War' to Return With New Episodes

Acorn Media, ITV, and Eleventh Hour Films today confirmed a new series of Foyle's War starring Michael Kitchen (My Week with Marilyn, Out of Africa) and created by celebrated novelist and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz (The new Sherlock Holmes novel House of Silk, Alex Rider novels, Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie's Poirot).

Called "Like a gift from the gods" (The New York Times) and "A triumph from start to finish" (The Wall Street Journal), Foyle's War last aired on PBS's Mystery! in May 2010. The return of the universally acclaimed, hit WWII detective series has been in development since Acorn Media, a leading distributor of British television in the U.S., acquired permanent ownership of the series in November 2010. Though Acorn has had DVD rights to Foyle's War since 2003, the company acquired control of all rights, including DVD, underlying intellectual property rights, Internet streaming, download-to-own, and broadcast television.

Series 8 will be set during the early period after World War II with Foyle focusing his attention on the world of espionage as he gathers secret intelligence in support of Britain's securitGy, defence and the Government's foreign and economic policies. The stories will range from Foyle identifying highly placed atomic spies to a true story of government corruption. A world of transition where the values and certainties of the war have given way to austerity, exhaustion and doubts about the direction the new government is taking.

In his new role as a Senior Intelligence Officer, Foyle discovers that the British establishment is rife with communist sympathizers and traitors. In this delicately balanced period in history, 1946-47, Foyle will use all his intelligence, guile and intuition to keep the country safe.

Said Michael Kitchen: "It's great to be wanted and a pleasure to be back."

Three two-hour films have been ordered from Eleventh Hour Films, the Production Company founded by producer Jill Green. Eleventh Hour Films takes pride in the research work undertaken for each story as all three episodes are firmly based on true stories from 1946 onwards.

"It is great that both Anthony and Michael wanted to continue with this jewel in the crown and create a new role for Foyle in a part of history less familiar on TV," said Jill.

Foyle's War will go into production in London in September, and the new episodes will air in the U.S. and U.K. in 2013. The U.S. broadcaster is still being finalized. Anthony will write films 1 and 3 with David Kane responsible for episode 2.

Speaking about Foyle's new role, creator and lead writer Anthony Horowitz said, "I have returned to Foyle's War because there are still some amazing stories I want to tell. The war may be over but Foyle's career goes on," said Anthony.

Honeysuckle Weeks is expected to return to the drama playing the established character of Samantha Stewart, a role she has portrayed since 2002. Post-war, Samantha is now married and relishing domesticity. Her character also enters a fresh era as she delights in a surprising new working role!

Acorn Media U.S. President Mark Stevens said, "Since acquiring the series, it's been Acorn Media's top priority to work closely with Jill Green and Anthony Horowitz to develop new episodes. We're excited to bring back one of Acorn's most successful series and move Foyle in a new direction."

Acorn Media has been releasing Foyle's War on home video in North America since 2003. The DVDs presenting Seasons One and Two of the series are Acorn Media U.S.'s top two best selling DVDs of all time.

In the U.K., Series 8 was commissioned for ITV by Drama Commissioning team Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes.

Jill Green will produce Foyle's War and further casting details will be announced later this year. A director is yet to be appointed.