Former Impartial Reporter journalist Trevor Birney of Fine Point Films is teaming up with Grantchester star Tom Brittney of Wild Nest Pictures to develop a TV drama based on his and fellow Northern Ireland journalist Barry McCaffrey’s controversial arrests in 2018.

Trevor and Barry were detained in August 2018 over the alleged theft of a police watchdog document from the Police Ombudsman’s Office which appeared in their film ‘No Stone Unturned’ about the murder of six Catholic men shot dead by the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in Loughinisland in 1994.

In June 2019, detectives dropped their nine-month long investigation into the two journalists following a court ruling in Belfast during which the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan quashed their “unlawful” search warrants.

In November 2020, the PSNI apologised for the arrests and agreed to pay significant damages to the two journalists, later revealed to be £875,000. The TV drama will follow these events.

Speaking about the collaboration between Fine Point Films and Wild Nest Pictures to produce the TV drama based on his own personal experience, Trevor told The Impartial Reporter that he was approached by Tom after he and Barry met him at an Amnesty International event in London, commenting that they “immediately hit it off”.

Granchester actor Tom, who is also known for his performances in the BBC drama ‘Make Me Famous’ and Starz hit ‘Outlander’, founded Wild Nest Pictures in 2020 with the actor and writer Oliver Powell.

“He’s [Tom] hugely enthusiastic and ambitious and we’re all every excited with the work that has already been done on the project,” said Trevor, adding: “We’re now involved in the heavy lifting that’s required in development and we’re very aware that there’s a long road ahead.”

Trevor founded Fine Point Films in 2012 and as well as ‘No Stone Unturned’ has produced a number of feature documentaries including ‘The Go-Go’s’, ‘The Dakota Entrapment Tapes’ and ‘George Best: All By Himself’ to name a few.

Trevor told this newspaper that the reaction to the announcement of the TV drama on his and Barry’s arrests has been “very positive”.

“We’re already talking to leading writers and directors in UK and the US,” he said.

However Trevor noted that although this is all “very exciting”, the day job continues.

He said: “Tom is currently spending 12 hours a day filming the next series of Grantchester and Fine Point has a very busy year ahead.”