Stephen Poliakoff is framed as a visionary returning to his rightful throne—the prestigious, large-scale television drama that made him a multi-BAFTA and Emmy-winning force. The project positions Malta as an emerging prestige TV destination while positioning Poliakoff's latest work as the kind of ambitious, internationally resonant storytelling that defines premium television.
Insiders note this marks Poliakoff's return to epic-scale TV after years away from major productions—a significant get for Malta's growing film industry. The announcement came at a festival ceremony rather than through traditional Hollywood channels, suggesting the project may face financing or distribution hurdles that prompted a more grassroots reveal.
The eight-part series 'The Order' was announced June 28, 2026, by Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech at the Mediterrane Film Festival's Golden Bee Awards. Production is anticipated to commence in 2027 and will be filmed on location in Malta using the island as its principal production base.
Poliakoff choosing a historical political thriller over contemporary subjects signals he's betting audiences crave substance over spectacle—and with streaming wars heating up, this could position Malta as an unexpected player in prestige television.
Stephen Poliakoff, the celebrated multi-BAFTA and Emmy-winning writer who largely retreated from large-scale television in recent years, is making his dramatic return with "The Order," an eight-part international political thriller set against the months leading up to and during The Great Siege of Malta in 1565. The project was unveiled at the Mediterrane Film Festival's annual Golden Bee Awards ceremony by Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech—a venue choice that underscores Malta's ambitions to become a legitimate player in prestige television production.
The series, based on the acclaimed novel by Peter Portelli, will explore what Poliakoff describes as "the extraordinary collision of politics, faith, ambition and survival at a moment when the fate of nations hung in the balance." In a statement accompanying the announcement, Poliakoff emphasized that the project centers on characters navigating immense pressures and impossible choices during one of history's most dramatic periods. The Great Siege of Malta represented a pivotal confrontation between Christian defenders and Ottoman forces, a conflict widely regarded as one of the most consequential military engagements in European history.
The production will be based entirely in Malta, utilizing the island's unique geography and architecture to recreate 16th-century Europe. Little Island Productions and Hopefield are co-producing in association with the Malta Film Commission, with Helen Flint serving as CEO and executive producer for Little Island alongside Neil Chordia for Hopefield. Peter Portelli himself joins as an executive producer alongside Nick Portelli.
Executives involved in the project have described "The Order" as featuring remarkable scale and ambition while remaining anchored by character-driven intrigue—hallmarks of Poliakoff's previous acclaimed work including "Perfect Strangers" and "Shooting the Past." Grech positioned the announcement as validation of Malta's growing appeal to major international productions, stating that "'The Order' represents exactly the kind of ambitious, internationally resonant television drama that Malta is increasingly attracting and supporting." Flint echoed similar sentiments, calling Poliakoff "one of our most distinctive and visionary dramatists" with an extraordinary ability to bring pivotal historical moments to life through deeply human stories.
The project remains in active development with production targeted to begin in 2027; announcements regarding casting, directing, financing, and international distribution are expected at a later date. For Poliakoff, whose career has oscillated between intimate character studies like "Close My Eyes" and larger-scale television events, "The Order" represents something of a homecoming to the epic storytelling format that established his reputation. The project arrives as streaming platforms continue hunting for historically-grounded prestige content with international appeal—making Malta's involvement and Poliakoff's track record potentially valuable currency in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
