ITV‘s Director of Drama Polly Hill and Drama Commissioner Callum Dziedzic have commissioned six-part police series called Winter.
The new drama features an unconventional forensic pathologist, played by Richard Armitage (Missing You, Red Eye, Fool Me Once), whose brilliance, sharp intellect and rule-breaking approach helps the police solve some of the most complex murder cases.
Winter is an Eagle Eye Drama production co-produced with Masterpiece and in association with ITV Studios.
Winter on ITV
Set in Bristol, Dr Ethan Winter is one of the most gifted pathologists of his generation. He possesses an extraordinary analytical mind, capable of impeccable deductive reasoning which perfectly complements DI Lauren Bell, played by Annabel Scholey (The Sixth Commandment, Rivals, The Split), a meticulous, no-nonsense detective who is as driven as Winter when working on a case.
Together they make a formidable team, as Winter’s genius and insight into the victims is invaluable to Bell and her murder squad detectives.
Yet Winter is harbouring a secret. The unsolved murder of someone close to him still haunts his every move, and he’s intent on unofficially investigating the death to bring the murderer to justice.
This personal thread runs beneath the six-part series, with each episode featuring its own compelling, self-contained crime story.
Richard Armitage said: “The team behind Winter are second to none and the ambition of David Allison’s scripts is very exciting and will attempt to shake up the genre that we’ve grown to love.
“Ethan Winter is a compelling character treading the line between diligent professional and reckless maverick. He has a painful secret and a fatalistic self-destruct button over which his finger constantly hovers. I’m thrilled to be returning to ITV.”
Annabel Scholey said: “I am thrilled to be joining ITV and Eagle Eye Drama as part of the Winter team, and to be working alongside the brilliant Richard Armitage on these fantastic scripts.
“Our characters’ tempestuous relationship will be a total thrill to explore, and I am excited to step into the wonderfully dry shoes of DI Lauren Bell.”
Drama Commissioner Callum Dziedzic will oversee production of Winter on behalf of the broadcaster. The series will air on ITV and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
Callum Dziedzic said: “Richard brings such soulful power to Winter, anchoring David and Mark’s scripts, which masterfully blend the science, mystery and emotion audiences love in forensic shows.
“I know Walter and his team will bring it to life with their trademark beauty, making this a wholly original addition to the genre.”
The series will be broadcast and streamed in the US by PBS Masterpiece.
Masterpiece Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer Susanne Simpson added: “Winter has the unique combination of compelling mysteries and human drama that our American audience craves. I am so pleased to bring this series to Masterpiece.”
Winter is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter.ITV Studios is responsible for the international distribution of the format.
The series is based on the television series Balthazar, created by Clothilde Jamin and Clélia Constantine and produced by Beaubourg Stories.
Filming is due to commence in Bristol and Belgium during early 2026.