Planned new series for NBC

Eddie Izzard is to adapt a series of crime novels for American TV.

The NBC network has ordered a script based on the Junior Bender crime novels by Timothy Hallinan.

The central character is a thief who works as a private detective for other criminals – who otherwise couldn’t go to the police when they need investigations done.

Four books have been written in the series, starting with Crashed in 2010, followed by Little Elvises, The Fame Thief and Herbie’s Game.

Izzard is not in line to star, but is set to co-write the scripts with Jessica Ball, who previously worked on the medical drama Royal Pains.

In December the comic signed a one-year talent-holding deal with NBC, which typically ties him to the network while they seek a starring vehicle. Izzard has already appeared in NBC’s Hannibal as Dr. Abel Gideon

And in August it was announced that he is to star in a new supernatural TV series Powers, based on the graphic novel series of the same name. The show is for the Sony Playstation Network and follows the lives of two homicide detectives who are assigned to investigate cases involving people with superhuman abilities.

He also intends to stand for Labour mayor of London in six years’ time.

Published: 6 Oct 2014