'THE WIDOW' Screen Rights bought by Ard Films (subject to contract)
A beautiful model out of cash and out of love with her boyfriend is offered the photographic shoot of a lifetime at a remote gothic house. She is enticed into a relationship with the owner's dying son but when she realises the true nature of their union she is forced to confront her greatest fear - the haunting presence of 'the widow'.
"This is a great ghost story, with an old fashioned ambiance. Providing it is well made, internationally it will do well as it has all the right ingredients to make it commercially viable - sex, violence, ghosts, and beautiful women." Part of a script review by an International Sales Agent
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Created story and co-scripted an episode of CHUGGINGTON, an international series currently airing on the BBC's CBeebies.
Commissioned to write the pilot script for CAPTAIN BLOWNAPARTE. To view the online promo please click here.
FEATURE FILMS:
My first film production was the schoolgirl thriller 'Out of Bounds', which I wrote and directed. It stars Sophie Ward, Celia Imrie and Sophia Myles who has gone on to play leading roles in 'Hallam Foe', 'Underworld', 'Art School Confidential', 'Tristan & Isolde' and the US TV series, 'Moonlight'.
'Out of Bounds' has sold to many territories including the UK. BBC1 has screened it three times: Nov 2007, Nov 2006 & Nov 2004.
'The eerie setting of an empty girls' boarding school generates the chills in Merlin Ward's low budget but high concept British psychodrama' ****very goodDaily Mail 'Clever scripting and some rather fine twists' THE ZONE 'Intriguing and chilling' TV TIMES 'Sophia Myles delivers a strong performance as an 18-year-old boarding school pupil in an affair with the art teacher husband of her headmistress. A brooding psychological thriller, this makes good use of its limited budget and stages more than a few effective shocks.'What's on TV
*** very goodEvening Standard**** very goodDaily Mirror ****very goodThe Sun
In 2005, GB Films, H3O Filmed Entertainment and I co-created the supernatural thriller, 'Within', starring Amy Perfect, Derek Hamilton, Fiona Glascott, Boyan Vukelic and John Tench.
ORIGINAL FILM & TV SCRIPTS AVAILABLE:
RISING TIDE: A man is washed up by the tide and rescued by a lonely widow. They become lovers but she is burdened with a terrible secret. Forced to confront a fearsome enemy she makes the ultimate choice between life and death.
LEGITIMATE TARGET: A news cameraman on assignment outside a courthouse in New York City observes at close hand the assassination of a key prosecution witness. Hurled into a nightmare world of international politics and bullet diplomacy he is caught between the hidden agenda of a CIA operative and an assassin out for revenge. Co-written with Patricia O’Connor.
BELLE OF NEW YORK (a period drama in four episodes): In the 1890s, a beautiful young woman becomes the toast of New York City by appearing in popular musical comedies. Three men: a New York banker, a Spanish horse breeder, and the woman's Russian tutor all fight for her hand in marriage. Based on true events, 'Belle of New York' is a powerful story of how all-consuming love can burn too fiercely and result in moving and tragic consequences.
Co-written with Irish writer Patricia O’Connor and originally optioned by World 2000 based in Ireland.
COMMISSIONED SCREENPLAYS (unproduced):
NO REST FOR THE DEAD: Commissioned by Hollywood-based James B. Harris Productions to adapt a noirish thriller set in the L.A.P.D. to London’s Metropolitan Police Force.
THE SECRET MISSION: A one-hour TV film, commissioned by Working Title Television, adapted from ‘The Bored Bridegroom’ by Dame Barbara Cartland.
BLIND SHOT: Screenplay commissioned by “stalk & slash” producer, Pete Walker, adapted from a novel by James Hadley Chase.
'The eerie setting of an empty girls' boarding school generates the chills in Merlin Ward's low budget but high concept British psychodrama' **** very good Daily Mail 'Clever scripting and some rather fine twists' THE ZONE 'Intriguing and chilling' TV TIMES 'Sophia Myles delivers a strong performance as an 18-year-old boarding school pupil in an affair with the art teacher husband of her headmistress. A brooding psychological thriller, this makes good use of its limited budget and stages more than a few effective shocks.' What's on TV 
In 2005, GB Films, H3O Filmed Entertainment and I co-created the supernatural thriller, 'Within', starring Amy Perfect, Derek Hamilton, Fiona Glascott, Boyan Vukelic and John Tench.