Producer Ileen Maisel (INKHEART, THE GOLDEN COMPASS) commissioned the original screenplay, set in nineteenth century Paris and featuring Jules Verne.

Gregory Evans' previous work includes numerous literary adaptations and original plays for radio, including THE QUIET AMERICAN by Graham Greene for which he was shortlisted for a Sony Award, and over 40 television scripts for series such as THE BILL, CASUALTY, MURDER IN MIND and BUGS. Last year his original radio play, SHIRLEYMANDER, about Dame Shirley Porter, was very well received, with the Sunday Times describing it as "A taut, vicious, gripping play".

Jules Verne is the Victorian author famed for his groundbreaking novels TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS.