ITV has announced the commission of new four-part crime drama The Long Call, based on the novel from Vera creator Ann Cleeves.

The show, described as a "character-led", "atmospheric" and "event" drama, will follow Detective Inspector Matthew Venn, who returns to live in North Devon with his husband some 20 years after being rejected by his family because of his sexuality.

The Long Call is being adapted for TV by Kelly Jones, screenwriter of the acclaimed Des and Baptiste, in what will be her first solo project.

Polly Hill, ITV's head of drama, said: "It's very different to Vera, but I think audiences will take to DI Matthew Venn and this compelling story in the same way.

"Kelly has written a wonderful adaptation and this promises to be a really distinctive and original new crime series."

Executive producer Kate Bartlett added: "The Long Call is a rich and deeply engrossing mystery with a whole host of new Cleeves characters led by the inimitable Matthew Venn.

"Just as the novel feels like a progression of Ann's writing, this feels like the opportunity to create a unique and ambitious event crime drama with a wholly iconic character at its heart."

The major new series is expected to form part of ITV's schedule in late 2021.