Superintendent Roy Grace is back in a brand-new Peter James stage adaptation and world premiere of the bestselling crime novel, Picture You Dead, heading to the Cornwall Playhouse stage this July.
Peter James has sold 23 million copies of his crime thrillers worldwide with 21 consecutive UK Sunday Times number ones; he is also a New York Times best-seller. Picture You Dead is the latest stage adaptation of James’ works - the seventh of his novels to be adapted for the stage by writer Shaun McKenna. It’s directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, who also directed Wish You Were Dead (2023) and Looking Good Dead (2021–2022). The character of Roy Grace is a household name, with the acclaimed ITV Series GRACE propelling the detective into popular culture.
The story of Picture You Dead was inspired by Peter’s meeting with real life art forger and now acclaimed copyist, David Henty. Peter James mused on their meeting: “Back in 2015, I co-wrote a book, Death Comes Knocking: Policing Roy Grace’s Brighton, with former Commander of Brighton and Hove Police, Graham Bartlett. It was Graham who introduced me to Henty.”
The plot explores the alluring world of fine art and slowly reveals a sinister web of corruption that lies underneath…
Back home in Brighton, DSI Grace investigates a cold case that leads him to the secretive world of fine art, but beneath the respectable veneer lurks a dark underworld of deception and murder. When one unsuspecting couple unearth a potentially priceless masterpiece, they discover that their dream-find is about to turn into their worst nightmare, and only Grace can stop them from paying the ultimate price. Picture You Dead will star Strictly Come Dancing winner, presenter, and stage actor Ore Oduba (Pretty Woman), Fiona Wade, (2:22 A Ghost Story, Emmerdale), and Casualty’s George Rainsford (Call the Midwife, 2:22 A Ghost Story), who will be returning as DSI Roy Grace.
Peter James said: “It is truly incredible for me to see the seventh stage adaptation of my books coming to theatres in 2025. I am so grateful to the hundreds of thousands of people around the country who have come to their local theatre and enjoyed the plays over the last 10 years, and I am thrilled to tell you all that personally, I think this brandnew play is the best one so far! On top of that, I could not be more delighted by the fantastic cast that we have assembled to star in the World Premiere production of Picture You Dead – they are all brilliant actors and it’s going to be a great and thrilling night at the theatre!”
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