A drama on Amy Winehouse’s “troubled life” is set to hit the small screen as a book detailing her song writing genius, addictions to booze and drugs, and difficult relationships is turned into a “poignant” eight-part-drama.
The world-famous “Back to Black” singer died in 2011 at the age of just 27, from alcohol poisoning after battling drink and drug addiction.
The drama will explore Amy’s very public battle against her demons as the drama delves into her addictions, successes and intense familial relationships.
The eight-part series is based on the best-selling book Saving Amy by author and film-maker Daphne Barak, who told her story from 40 hours of footage, photographs and interviews of the star.
She and producer Erbil Gunasti spent six months with the singer and her family in London, Switzerland and St Lucia, researching and collecting footage for the book.
Amy spent eight months in the Caribbean in 2009, writing and recording her third album, which was never released, as her erratic behaviour and drug use spiralled out of control.
Barak’s book revealed how frail Amy had become and her struggle to write new music off the back of the huge success of her second album Back to Black.
The rights for the book have been purchased by Halcyon Studio. The company is aiming to bring the book to life as a scripted TV series.
Veteran British writer and producer Mal Young, who has worked on dramas such as Doctor Who, Casualty and Holby City, will also be involved in the production.
The project will shine a spotlight on her difficult and intense relationships with her family, including her dad, Mitch, as well as her short-lived marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil which was allegedly plagued by violence, drugs and self-harm.
Halcyon Studio chief executive, David Ellender, has said his team was “honoured” to be working on the project.
He said: “Although her career was cut far too short, Amy was the voice of a generation and we look forward to telling her story in the most poignant way possible.”
