National Geographic, Channel 4 greenlight ISIS scripted drama

LONDON — National Geographic Channel and Britain’s Channel 4 are partnering on a four-part drama about ISIS from writer-director Peter Kosminsky, who helmed the award-winning television adaptation of “Wolf Hall.”

The as-yet-untitled drama, based on extensive research and firsthand accounts, will follow four British men and women who join ISIS in Raqqah, Syria, the radical group’s declared capital. Produced by Archery Pictures, the drama is set to premiere next year on Channel 4 in the U.K. and on the National Geographic Channel across the rest of the world.

“National Geographic has always been on the forefront of covering the complexities of war in our documentary features and series,” said Carolyn Bernstein, National Geographic’s executive VP and head of global scripted development and production. “Peter’s scripts take that same bold, unblinking approach to telling the fact-based stories of young ISIS recruits, and offer an authentic and nuanced look inside one of the most serious global threats we face today.”

Kosminsky’s most recent drama, “Wolf Hall,” earned a string of awards, including a Golden Globe for television series and a BAFTA for drama series, as well as the leading actor BAFTA for Mark Rylance’s depiction of Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power through Henry VIII’s royal court.

Kosminsky has often been drawn to controversial subjects. His drama “Britz” looked at a British Muslim family who are pulled in radically different directions in post 9/11 Britain. This won a BAFTA for drama serial. Kosminsky also shot “The Promise,” a love story against the backdrop of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, which was BAFTA nominated. Kosminsky’s factual drama “The Government Inspector” was about the search for “weapons of mass destruction” in the lead up to the Iraq War and the death of Dr. David Kelly. It won a best drama BAFTA. “Warriors,” his two-part film about British peacekeepers in Bosnia, won the Prix Italia, and a BAFTA award. Kosminsky’s additional credits include “White Oleander,” “No Child of Mine,” and “Shoot to Kill.”

Executive producers on the ISIS drama are Liza Marshall and Kris Thykier at Archery Pictures, and Bernstein for National Geographic Channels.