Line of Duty studio creating new drama

The studio behind \'Line of Duty\' is launching a new six-part drama.

\'The Diplomat\' - which has been described as \'Spooks\' meets \'The Good Wife\' - has been greenlit by UKTV\'s Alibi, with \'Cobra\' writer Ben Richards handling the script for the World Productions project.

The series will follow Laura Simmonds and her Barcelona Consul colleague Alba Ortiz as they try to protect British nationals finding themselves in trouble in the city.

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The programme - which also comes from the same production company as hit BBC drama \'Bodyguard\' - is set to air in 2021, with director and casting news set to follow.

Filming will start when it\'s safe for the team to do so amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Writer Ben said: "I\'m delighted to be working with UKTV on \'The Diplomat\' - a show that I think will suit their obvious ambition for innovative and exciting new drama.

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"In \'The Diplomat\' I wanted to show a character who both loves her job and - supported by a team of funny and engaging characters - performs it beyond the call of duty.

"From helping Britons in distress to challenging the shady operations of international mafias, Laura Simmonds has to deal with it all."

UKTV\'s drama commissioner Philippa Collie Cousins added: "Laura and Alba are contrasting professional working women dealing with murder, abductions and organised crime alongside managing their careers and love lives while avoiding diplomatic hierarchies and maintaining a tight friendship.

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"It is \'The Good Wife\' meets \'Spooks\' for 2021, a feisty workplace drama set in Barcelona with cracking dialogue, abundant crime and a surprising series arc."

Worlds Productions boss Simon Heath - who will executive produce alongside Philippa and BBC Studios director of Drama Martin Rakusen - commented: "We\'re delighted to be working for the first time with Philippa, Emma, the UKTV team and BBC Studios Distribution to bring to the screen Ben Richards\' smart and original take on Britain\'s complicated relationship with Spain\'s most visited city."