Female firefighter's memoir to be developed into 'bold new drama'

Kudos has pre-emptively acquired the TV rights to female firefighter Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton's memoir, Through the Fire, which Transworld bagged rights to publish in a "substantial" pre-empt last month. 

The show going into development will be a "bold new drama" series based on the book from one of the country’s most senior female firefighters, who rose the ranks to become deputy assistant commissioner at just 31.

The title, to be published by Transworld in spring 2019, was signed by Sue Swift, head of literary acquisitions for Kudos, from Kirsty McLachlan at David Godwin Associates.
 
The book draws on both Dr Cohen-Hatton's personal life, leaving home at the age of 15 and living rough for a year before joining the fire service at 18, and her experience of managing emergency situations, having attended major incidents including the Westminster terrorist attack and the Holborn fire.

She also has a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience having studied at night school while working full time, and her studies on decision-making within the service have changed national policies as a result.
 
Emma Kingsman-Lloyd of Kudos, said: “At a time when the female workplace experience is under ever closer scrutiny we are thrilled to be able to bring Sabrina’s remarkable book to the screen. She’s not only a remarkable woman, she’s a natural storyteller and her personal experiences as a front line professional and her revolutionary insights into the psychology of decision-making in extreme situations make this title a truly extraordinary, exciting and unique examination of the firefighting profession.”
 
"Through the Fire" will be executive produced by Diederick Santer and Emma Kingsman-Lloyd at Kudos.