See-Saw Productions Brings ‘Lovejoy’ Novels to Life for TV After 30 Years Since the BBC Hit with Ian McShane
See-Saw Films Secures Rights to Adapt Lovejoy Novels for Television
See-Saw Films has acquired the rights to adapt the Lovejoy detective novels into a television series, following a competitive bidding war. This announcement comes on the heels of the success of Slow Horses, a series that has elevated its lead character, Jackson Lamb, to prominence.
The Lovejoy novels, written under the pseudonym Jonathan Gash by Dr. John Grant, were previously adapted into a popular BBC series from the late 1980s to early 1990s, featuring Ian McShane in the titular role. The original show, which spanned eight years and included 70 episodes, helped establish McShane as a household name. As of now, there is no confirmation on McShane’s return for the new adaptation, which has yet to be attached to any network or streaming service.
Set in East Anglia, Lovejoy revolves around a savvy antiques dealer with a unique ability to identify authentic artifacts and detect scams. The character frequently transitions between dealer and detective, often outsmarting competitors, criminals, and even law enforcement. This charismatic persona draws parallels to Lamb, portrayed by Gary Oldman in Slow Horses, which has aired for five seasons on Apple TV.
The Lovejoy series comprises 24 novels published from 1977 to 2008, with notable titles including The Judas Pair, The Grail Tree, and the latest installment, Faces in the Pool.
See-Saw Films has expressed a desire to craft a "contemporary reimagining" of the Lovejoy novels, aiming to move away from the nostalgic elements of the original adaptation and instead capture the unrestrained spirit of the source material. The company described the bidding process for the adaptation rights as "competitive," indicating significant interest that took place last year.
Lisa Moylett, Grant’s agent, remarked, “Jonathan Gash created an extraordinarily vivid and complex Lovejoy. A morally ambiguous, often unpleasant anti-hero brought to life through taut prose and page-turning stories steeped in the shadowy world of antiques.” She emphasized the importance of staying true to the essence of the novels in any new adaptation. Moylett praised See-Saw’s vision, noting its alignment with preserving the wit and grit of the books while making them relevant for today’s audience.
The executive producers for See-Saw, which is owned by Mediawan and known for productions such as Slow Horses, Heartstopper, and Sweetpea, include Lisa Gilchrist, Helen Gregory, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Simon Gillis. Moylett and Grant will also join the team.
The licensing agreement was facilitated by Simon Gillis and Laura Mazzola, Head of Business & Legal Affairs (UK), on behalf of See-Saw, alongside Sheila David of Catapult Rights Limited representing Dr. Grant.
