Abbott goes factual

Hyper-busy writer Paul Abbott will script edit a new series of factual dramas for ITV, reports Media Guardian (free registration required).

"There is absolutely no reason why the drama in factual and documentary programmes shouldn't be excellent - particularly in terms of narrative and dialogue - but too often it isn't," Abbott said.

"The stories and the characters in this series are fantastic and we're going to make sure that we dramatise their amazing survivals to the highest possible standards. Unique Factuals is a strong Manchester-based indie and I'm determined to support TV production outside London."

The six survival stories will be told by some of the UK's top television script writers, including Daniel Brocklehurst, Oliver Brown and Jimmy Dowdall.

They will gather their information from survivors' testimonies and Abbott will then edit the scripts.

The resulting programmes will mix computer generated imagery with actors

to recount the stories, giving what ITV says will be a 'truly epic visual feel'.