The Child In Time explores love and loss in a story that follows a family after the disappearance of a child.

Benedict Cumberbatch will star as Stephen Lewis, a children's novelist who experiences the tragic loss of his own child and the devastating effect the grief has on his marriage. 

The drama will be adapted by Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom) and directed by Julian Farino (Entourage).

The Child In Time will be be the first television commission for Pinewood Television and Cumberbatch's production company SunnyMarch TV.

Benedict Cumberbatch said of the adaptation: “I read the novel years ago and it stayed with me - profound, beautiful and very moving. Only Ian McEwan could write about loss with such telling honesty."

"We’re very excited to have Stephen Butchard’s subtle and brilliant adaptation, and in Julian Farino we have an extraordinary director who delivers emotional truth," he continued. "I'm so proud The Child In Time will be the first drama produced by SunnyMarch TV.”

Novelist Ian McEwan, said: "I'm thrilled to have my novel in the hands of such a high level creative team."

"I have fond memories of Benedict playing a brilliant and key part in the movie adaptation of Atonement," he continued. "Now, it's a great honour to have this actor of such immense resource, experience and subtlety in the lead role of The Child in Time."

“The Child In Time is a unique and moving story and one which I think will touch the heart of every BBC One viewer," said Piers Wenger, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning. 

"I’m proud to be involved with both Pinewood Television and SunnyMarch TV’s first television commission, and to welcome Benedict back again to BBC One.”