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Ghostwatch and Afterlife writer Stephen Volk is penning a three-part adaptation of Phil Rickman’s Midwinter of the Spirit, the second book in his series of paranormal crime fiction featuring exorcist priest Merrily Watkins, which will appear on the new ITV channel, ITV Encore.

According to the ITV press release, “Merrily has been through the mill emotionally of late, losing her unfaithful husband Sean in a car crash and seeking refuge in a job despised by her 16 year-old daughter, Jane, whose rejection of her mother’s beliefs leads her into the path of danger.

“When a man is found murdered in the most horrific circumstances imaginable, Merrily becomes convinced that Satanists are operating in the city.

“In the early hours of the next morning she’s called to Hereford General Hospital to perform an exorcism. The atmosphere is palpably toxic, as nurses treating a chronically ill man known for cruelty to animals and his abuse of women believe the ward has become polluted by his vileness. “They believe when he dies, that evil won’t die with him,” Sister Cullen tells Merrily before she begins to pray for his soul.  As the life force in the shrivelled body begins to ebb away, Merrily feels the force of his depravity. Shaking and feeling violated by her experience, Merrily begins to wonder if the two deaths are connected.

“Local police team – DCI Annie Howe and DS Franny Bliss – investigating the murder of the crucified man seek Merrily’s expertise.  Merrily assists the police as their enquiries take them into a very dark and dangerous world.”

Executive producer Kieran Roberts noted “We’re very excited to be working with Stephen Volk to bring Phil Rickman’s gripping and chilling novel to the screen. We’re also thrilled to be making one of the first original commissions for ITV Encore.” According to ITV’s Director of Drama Commissioning Steve November, “Midwinter of the Spirit is a contemporary and edgy drama which draws upon dark, pagan forces which are intriguing and spiritually frightening… We’re delighted to commission three episodes of a potentially returnable crime drama with a supernatural twist.”

There are currently twelve novels in the Merrily Watkins series. Stephen Volk’s new novella, Leytonstone, about the early life of Alfred Hitchcock, is reviewed here.

The series, which is produced by Doctor Who’s Phil Collinson, will begin filming in April 2015. No casting has yet been announced.