Sky Atlantic is to air Sweetpea, an eight-part darkly comic drama about an average girl next door who has a long-buried secret.

The comedy is based around Sweetpea, the novel by CJ Skuse. It has been adapted for the screen by Pure writer Kirstie Swain (pictured).

The plot is described as follows: "Rhiannon is your average girl next door, living quietly with her boyfriend and little dog. By day her job as an office manager is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friends' plans for marriage and babies. Rhiannon never complains, smiling through it all with reserves of serenity and a sparkling wit. She has become skilled at keeping it together. Being normal. But behind this mask is a ferocious power lying dormant, and a long-buried secret that Rhiannon wishes she could forget. When a chance encounter with a stranger leads to a shocking act of violence, Rhiannon's mask slips completely and she is forced to confront the darker side she has long kept hidden. The girl everyone overlooks might just be able to get away with murder."

Further details, including who will play Rhiannon, will be announced at a later date.

This news was announced at a showcase in London, which also revealed a number of other new Sky comedies. The TV network is set to release 80 original comedy and drama titles across 2020, an increase of 25% from last year.