Monumental Television secures TV rights to Global’s true-crime podcast Filthy Ritual

ITV Studios-owned Monumental Television, the production company behind critically acclaimed shows including the twice BAFTA-nominated Ghosts for BBC One, Maryland starring Suranne Jones for ITV, and the forthcoming The Marlow Murder Club for UKTV’s Drama channel and PBS Masterpiece in the US, has secured the rights to Filthy Ritual, a true-crime podcast created by Global, the Media & Entertainment Group, and NOVEL.

Launched in April 2023, Filthy Ritual explores the jaw-dropping tale of one of the most prolific fraudsters in British history. Hosted by Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, the six-part series uncovers and unpicks the shocking and almost unbelievable story about a charming, enchanting and mysterious woman called Juliette D’Souza, who claimed she could perform miracles.

At the turn of the 21st century in Hampstead, one of London’s most wealthy and well-known suburbs, Juliette D’Souza wreaked havoc on a number of people’s lives until a rag-tag team of her victims came together to fight for justice. Described by her neighbours as being like ‘a knife in a velvet glove’, D’Souza claimed to have a special connection to an ancient source of power and wisdom deep in the Amazonian jungle, despite having grown up in Notting Hill. She made at least one million pounds, possibly much more, through extortion and manipulation, becoming one of the most prolific con women in British history.

Founded by Oscar-nominated film producers Alison Owen and Debra Hayward, Monumental Television will re-create the chart-topping podcast into a scripted drama for TV audiences.

Alison Owen, Monumental Television’s Co-Founder said: “We were absolutely gripped by the stranger than fiction true crime story of Filthy Ritual and fell in love with the quirky Hampstead community who came together to get justice. We’re delighted to be entrusted with bringing this hugely popular and thrilling podcast to the screen.”

Vicky Etchells, ‪Head of News and Factual for Podcasts at Global added: “Filthy Ritual is one of the biggest podcast hits of the last 12 months and it’s wonderful that it’s now being brought to life for TV. Dozens of TV and film production companies pitched for the adaptation rights which is testament to the incredible storytelling from the team at Global and NOVEL. Monumental are experts in turning female driven stories into blockbusters so I can’t wait to work with them on the TV adaptation of Filthy Ritual.”