Ellie Wood, the producer behind Netflix film The Dig, has struck a development deal with Banijay UK and is working an adaptation of Barbara Pym’s ‘Excellent Women’ novels.

Under terms of the agreement with Banijay Entertainment‘s British arm, Wood’s Clearwood Films will get access to funding to develop ideas and treatments and support from centralized resources including finance, legal and business affairs.

First up from the partnership is the ‘Excellent Women’ adaptation, based on the novel from much-loved author Pym, whose novels are compared to those of Jane Austen. The book follows the story of a self-depreciating young women living in post-World War II London.

Should Clearwood land greenlights for the likes of ‘Excellent Women’, the producer will have the option to partner with Banijay UK production companies to co-produce.

Clearwood’s upcoming projects include an as-yet unannounced single scripted project for a linear broadcaster and 49 Days, a political drama from John Preston that’s based on the disastrous short-lived premiership of Liz Truss. Banijay is backing development.

Today’s agreement follows on from a first-look deal Clearwood had Banijay Rights, the distribution arm of Banijay UK parent Banijay Entertainment. Banijay Rights will continue to sell Clearwood shows internationally.

Wood is a former BBC script editor and Clerkenwell Films development chief and exec producer. After spells as a consultant at Miramax, and similar roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment and Catalyst Global Media, she set up Clearwood to develop TV and film projects.

In 2019, she produced Netflix feature The Dig, which starred Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James and Johnny Flynn and was nominated for five BAFTAs; and three years later made ITV and BritBox three-parter Stonehouse, which starred Matthew Macfadyen as Labour minister John Stonehouse and Keeley Hawes as his wife.

She is also an exec producer on Hot Milk, Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s feature adaptation of Deborah Levy’s novel, which premiered the Berlin Film Festival in February.

Patrick Holland, CEO of Banijay UK, said: “Ellie is a brilliant producer with an established reputation for creating standout, high quality drama. Banijay Rights have had a successful first-look deal in place with Clearwood, working with Ellie on projects including Stonehouse, and we are delighted to be backing her vision.”  

Wood added: “I’m thrilled to be working with Patrick and continuing Clearwood Films’ partnership with the wider Banijay family. I’m particularly excited to be developing the novels of one of my favourite authors, the inimitable Barbara Pym.

“Just as Jilly Cooper’s Rivals gave us a ‘Cooperverse’, I look forward to creating a ‘Pymverse’ and bringing this iconic author’s uniquely British tales of comic observation and unrequited love not only to her legions of fans but also to a wider TV audience.”