CJZ options Ayliffe’s “Dark Desert Road” for TV

Tim Ayliffe’s first standalone novel, Dark Desert Road (Echo), has been optioned by Australian TV production company CJZ.

Dark Desert Road follows police officer Kit McCarthy, who hasn’t seen her twin sister, Billie, in more than a decade – after Billie followed their violent father into a life of crime.

However, “Kit is no angel,” said the announcement from CJZ. “Burnt out by years working in child protection, Kit has just been ordered to take time off work when she gets a frantic message from Billie, telling her she has a young son and that somebody is trying to kill her. And then Billie disappears.”

CJZ head of drama Claire Tonkin said, “From its explosive opening, Dark Desert Road is a propulsive, surprising and thought-provoking thriller that cleverly explores the faultlines in Australian society today. We are such fans of Tim’s work and he has created another brilliant lead character in Kit who feels fresh, flawed and very real. We can’t wait to see her come to life onscreen.”

Echo Publishing managing director Amanda Maclean said, “The response to Dark Desert Road since publication has been extraordinary, and it reflects how strongly readers have connected with both the story and its themes. It’s a page-turning crime-thriller, but it feels uncomfortably close to the world we’re watching unfold around us, touching on tensions and divisions that are turning up in the news with increasing regularity. CJZ’s interest feels like a natural next step, and we’re excited to see the book find a new life on screen.”

Ayliffe said, “I loved writing the McCarthy sisters. We’re living in an age of extremes and some of the big issues dividing families in places like the US and Europe are causing deep divisions here too. This is an Australian story with the harsh desert country of the NSW Riverina at its core. I can’t wait to see my characters and places on screen, and I couldn’t think of a better team to do it than CJZ.”

CJZ has previously optioned Tim Ayliffe’s John Bailey novels, which include The Greater Good, State of Fear, The Enemy Within, Killer Traitor Spy (winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2024 BAD Sydney Danger Awards) and The Wrong Man.

Among CJZ’s previous series are Gruen, Bondi Rescue, The People vs Robodebt, Go Back to Where You Came From, My Life is Murder, Darby and Joan, House of Hancock, House of Bond, Blackjack and The Great Mint Swindle.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions