STV Productions helping bring real-life Jigsaw Murders to small screen

STV Productions is set to help bring to the small screen what is billed as a “complex and multi-layered” true crime story of the Jigsaw Murders on a show the broadcaster expects to have “tremendous appeal”.

'I’m excited to develop this complex and multi-layered crime story for television,' says Collins. Picture: contributed.

The organisation is the production partner of Tod Productions, and they have optioned The Jigsaw Murders: The True Story of the Ruxton Killings and the Birth of Modern Forensics by journalist and author Jeremy Craddock. The book is due for release next year, and is said to shed new light on the murder mystery that fascinated the public in the 1930s.

In September 1935, Buck Ruxton murdered his wife and their nanny before disposing of their bodies in the Borders. STV Productions said Craddock tells for the first time in detail the story of these killings, and he brings to life all of the main players, from the “enigmatic and charismatic” Ruxton, to his victims Isabella Ruxton and Mary Rogerson; and the officers, lawyers and scientists who “grappled with a landmark case that led to the birth of modern forensics”.

David Mortimer, MD of STV Productions, said The Jigsaw Murders is a “fantastic” addition to Tod’s “strong” development slate of high-quality shows.

“There’s a real appetite for true-crime-based drama and we’re delighted Elaine Collins at Tod has seen the huge potential in this exciting new work, which we know will hold tremendous appeal.”

In 2017, Tod Productions MD Elaine Collins signed an exclusive deal with STV Productions to develop and co-produce a slate of high-quality, writer-led TV drama projects.

Collins commented: “I’m excited to develop this complex and multi-layered crime story for television, to give presence to the victims, and to dramatise the characteristically brilliant scientists at work in 1930s Scotland.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Frank O'Donnell

Editorial Director