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Bret Easton Ellis and Irvine Welsh in talks to co-write TV drama

Bret Easton Ellis dreamed up the depraved excesses of serial killer Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. Irvine Welsh is the author who brought us the questionable morals of characters including Sick Boy and Begbie in Trainspotting. Now the pair are set to collaborate for the first time, co-creating a television drama about an American tabloid publication.

Burning Wheel Productions is in final talks with the two authors about a series that will follow a “rambunctious cavalcade of pranksters, conmen and rapscallions – in other words, journalists – being brought together from across the globe to change not only the landscape but the power of the press forever from scandalous rumour to political puppetry”, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Related: Bret Easton Ellis: ‘My ability to trigger millennials is insane’

“To do this production justice we always knew we would require writers who don’t hold back and go way further than most would dare,” said Burning Wheel’s Shelley Hammond. “We are just beyond delighted that we are ready to agree to a deal to make this happen with the incredible talent of Bret and Irvine. This would be the first time the two have collaborated professionally – and with the support to allow creative freedom, we are confident spectacular things will happen.”

The original series has the working title American Tabloid, and will follow a weekly publication, where “political correctness, morals and ethics are left firmly at the door”. Burning Wheel said it was “positive” the deal would be firmed up shortly, with development to begin soon.