TV drama State of Play to hit the big screen

TV drama State of Play is to be turned into a Hollywood film. The Bafta-winning political thriller will be remade with American actors in the lead roles.

The critically-acclaimed BBC series starred Bill Nighy, David Morrissey and John Simm. Morrissey played a fast-rising Labour MP who seeks the help of an investigative journalist (Simm) when he becomes caught up in a deadly conspiracy.

Nighy won a Bafta for his role as a cynical newspaper editor.

Writer Paul Abbott has sold the film rights to Universal Pictures, the company behind Bridget Jones and Love, Actually.

"The series is about the intersection between politics and journalism, issues that are relevant in any country," said US producer Andrew Hauptman. "It's a blistering political thriller and we want to make an equally blistering movie."

Abbott, who also created Shameless and Clocking Off, will be executive producer on the film.