FILM RIGHTS TO THE ENGLISHMAN BY DAVID GILMAN OPTIONED BY AGC STUDIOS

David Gilman Publicity Pic Apr 2019.jpg

Rights to THE ENGLISHMAN, the first novel in best-selling author David Gilman’s new book series, have been optioned by AGC Studios, Stuart Ford’s fast-growing independent studio, to be developed into a feature film.

Gilman is known for tension-filled, action-packed books that rise above standard adventure novels with smart and insightful writing informed by the acclaimed author’s life.  His biography rivals the plots of his books and imbues them with an up-to-the-moment reality against a global backdrop.  Gilman has been a paratrooper in the British Army, a firefighter, a professional photographer, a truck driver, a farm worker, a marketing executive for an international publishing company and a world traveller before the time he turned 30.  That experience is on every page of his latest book of which writer and journalist William Shaw said, “THE ENGLISHMAN is thrilling proof that high-tension international thrillers are back – and with an absolute vengeance” and The Times’ Jeremy Dun said, “THE ENGLISHMAN is a sweat-inducing tour-de-force.” Other works informed by Gilman’s extraordinary life include his tenure as one of the lead writers on the BAFTA® award winning ITV television series A TOUCH OF FROST, and as the author of the MASTER OF WAR historical novels and  YA adventure series, DANGER ZONE.

Published by Head of Zeus, THE ENGLISHMAN centres on Raglan, a former soldier whose work in the French Foreign Legion taking on terrorists in sub-Saharan Africa brings him to the attention of MI6.  He is soon recruited for a secret, undercover mission that takes him on a relentless search through the network of a dangerous international organized crime operation.  He finds out just how dangerous the mission is when he lands in a Siberian penal colony.  His physical and mental strength, and help from Yefimov, a fellow inmate, are keys to his survival through perilous and life-threatening dangers.  In Raglan THE ENGLISHMAN introduces us to an intelligent, complex and strong globe-trotting hero made for the challenges of the 21st Century.

Ford says, "We're thrilled to have acquired the right to make a film or maybe multiple films from David Gilman's compelling, enigmatic action hero Raglan and are looking forward to introducing some top tier writing and directing talent to the project in the near future".

The deal was negotiated by Conrad Williams on behalf of Gilman and by Stuart Ford and Vice President of Legal & Business Affairs Anant Tamirisa on behalf of AGC.

Translation rights to THE ENGLISHMAN have also already been acquired by Bulgarian publisher Delphin and Romanian publisher Lebada Neagra, emphasising its global appeal. Rights in David Gilman’s other titles have been sold in more than a dozen translation markets, and his MASTER OF WAR series has featured on German bestseller lists.

Praise for David Gilman


‘Verve, pace, shocks and intrigue, this is spy thriller writing by an author at the zenith of his powers.’ – Peter James

'Incisive prose – and the pulse-pounding pace just never lets up.’ – Peter May

‘The ENGLISHMAN is thrilling proof that high-tension international thrillers are back – and with an absolute vengeance.’ – William Shaw

‘A sweat-inducing tour de force.’ – Jeremy Duns, Thrillers of the Month, The Times

‘What Gilman does superlatively is heart-pounding action.’ — Amanda Craig, The Times

‘NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS is a magnificent war spy thriller. I couldn’t read it fast enough. Clever, complex, gripping, emotionally engaging, terrifying. And so much more. A stand-out novel of the year for me and one that kept me reading late into the summer night.’ — For Winter Nights

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Head of Zeus acquires two new thrillers by David Gilman

Nicolas Cheetham, CEO at Head of Zeus, has acquired UK & Commonwealth rights to two new David Gilman thrillers from Isobel Dixon, Head of Books at Blake Friedmann.

David Gilman is best known for his MASTER OF WAR series, set during the 100 Years War, which has sold some 400,000 copies in English and is a top 10 paperback and eBook bestseller in Germany (Rowohlt). The 6th MASTER OF WAR title CROSS OF FIRE is published in the UK on 6 February 2020 and Gilman is currently completing the 7th. He is also the author of THE LAST HORSEMAN (shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize) and NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS. Rights to his books have been sold in 16 languages worldwide.

The former paratrooper, marketing manager (Penguin South Africa) and screenwriter (TOUCH OF FROST) is now set to return to shelves with a contemporary thriller THE ENGLISHMAN, following its eponymous ex-Foreign Legion protagonist from the arid deserts of Africa, to the bleak streets and back-alleys of South London, and beyond to the underbelly of Moscow and the icy grip of an arctic prison camp.

Nicolas Cheetham said: ‘Building on the success of David’s historical thriller NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS, this is a KOLYMSKY HEIGHTS-class novel which will be our star title for July 2020 – a quest for revenge that leads to the permafrost desolation of a Siberian penal colony. A place that holds Russia's most brutal murderers. How will our hero get in? More importantly, how will he get out?’

David Gilman said: ‘Many years ago I met some French Foreign Legionnaires and was fascinated by them. Then, while completing a MASTER OF WAR title, Raglan knocked firmly on my door and wouldn’t go away. I realised this intriguing, intelligent, highly trained and fallible ex-Legionnaire with a strong moral code would be a valuable asset in any situation in which I placed him, stepping from the shadows and into danger when governments need him – someone who does not officially exist. I’m very glad my publisher Nic Cheetham of Head of Zeus let him in too.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘Fans already eagerly await the next appearance of Thomas Blackstone in every MASTER OF WAR title, and now they have a fantastic contemporary treat in store as well, with the arrival of Dan Raglan on the scene. An arrival that is guaranteed to cause a stir. I’m delighted that Head of Zeus will be introducing readers to David Gilman’s unforgettable hero in THE ENGLISHMAN this year.’


Praise for David Gilman

'I'm totally bedazzled. I'd never thought that another writer could rival Bernard Cornwell…but David is giving him a real run for his money.’ — Sharon Penman

‘What Gilman does superlatively is heart-pounding action.’ — Amanda Craig, The Times

'Like a punch from a mailed fist, MASTER OF WAR gives a true taste of the Hundred Years War. It is a gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty.' — Robert Fabbri

‘NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS is a magnificent war spy thriller. I couldn’t read it fast enough. Clever, complex, gripping, emotionally engaging, terrifying. And so much more. A stand-out novel of the year for me and one that kept me reading late into the summer night.’ — For Winter Nights

‘A gripping read from an assured storyteller’ — Antonia Senior, The Times

'A gripping ride.' — Wilbur Smith

'Page-turning and gritty.' — Daily Mail


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