SNOW Is about to fall on a freezing night in 1963 as a young girl goes missing on the moors.
Place of Execution is one of the best TV dramas I’ve seen this year.
Adapted from the novel by Stockport-based Val McDermid, it’s set in the same era as the Moors Murders.
But this is a very different story.
At the press launch in London yesterday we watched the first two episodes and interviewed stars Juliet Stevenson, Greg Wise and Lee Ingleby.
And even though I now know how this classy thriller ends, I can’t wait to see the third and final part.
Due on ITV1 later this month, the drama – set in both the past and present – took six years to bring to the screen.
It was made in Newcastle and Northumberland by Coastal Productions, the Tyneside-based company founded by Sandra Jobling and Robson Green.

Robson, who does not appear in this project, was also at the launch.
He said: “This is our finest three hours – it’s an absolute gem.”
You’ll get no arguments from me.
Lots more on Place of Execution to come nearer transmission.
Cranford and Marple star Greg Wise plays 1960s’ village squire Philip Hawkin, one of several superb performances.
Dry-humoured Greg is married to Oscar-winning actress and writer Emma Thompson.
“We’ve just done a project together that she wrote and I argued with her about,” he told us.
“And that seemed to work well.
“It’s still in script form, we’re trying to raise some money for it at the moment.
“We’ve just spent the last few months arguing and I think we’ve put together a nice piece of writing.”
The plan is that Greg will star in the Victorian period drama.
“It’s about art.”
Meanwhile Emma is set to film Nanny McPhee 2.
That’s the sequel to the 2005 movie in which she both starred and wrote the screenplay.
“She’s written a lovely, very funny script.
“They’re going to start shooting that in the spring.”
Does Emma ask for Greg’s advice when she’s writing other scripts?
“No…you have to be very careful,” he smiled.
“She’s got an Oscar and I don’t…yet.”