Dougray Scott to Star as Hans Christian Andersen in Crime Drama FAIRYTALE DETECTIVE
Dougray Scott (Mission: Impossible 2, Desperate Housewives) is stepping into the shoes of legendary Danish author Hans Christian Andersen for Fairytale Detective, a new one-hour crime drama series from writer Brendan Foley and Omega Global Media.
The series reimagines Andersen not just as the creator of beloved fairy tales but as an amateur sleuth in 1850s Copenhagen.
Each episode will see him investigating crimes with the help of characters pulled straight from his stories, who manifest in the real world to guide him toward justice. At the same time, Andersen is determined to win the heart of Jenny Lind, the celebrated singer often referred to as the “Swedish Nightingale.”
Scott and Foley recently worked together on the CW’s breakout series Sherlock and Daughter, where Foley served as creator and Scott portrayed the infamous Professor Moriarty. Foley also wrote the second season of the Nordic crime drama The Man Who Died and is juggling several international projects. On top of starring in Fairytale Detective, Scott will executive produce alongside Foley.
The actor is keeping busy with a packed slate that includes ITVX’s The Hack, Channel 4’s drama Summerwater, and the BBC’s Crookhaven.
Omega Global Media’s managing director Danny Goldman is expected to showcase Fairytale Detective at Mipcom this October, where the project will be presented to potential buyers.
Scott shared his enthusiasm for the role, saying: “I’m very much looking forward to collaborating with Brendan Foley on ‘Fairytale Detective.’ He has given us a unique and exciting insight into the world of Hans Christian Andersen which is funny, surprising and incredibly moving.
“Hans Christian Anderson is a tragic/comic figure, possibly on the autism spectrum, whose only emotional outlet is through his fictional characters — he is his characters. Solving crimes gives him the same validation as his storytelling and a chance to understand and connect with the world around him.
“To explore those aspects of his life and character throughout the course of a series is incredibly exciting to me and we hope will be revelatory to an audience.”
Fairytale Detective sounds like a fascinating mix of period drama, mystery, and fantasy.