Carlton Television (itv) has announced that an award-winning Canadian writer will redevelop Peak Practice, Britain’s highest rated drama series. Laura Phillips, who won a Gemini for Fraggle Rock and an Emmy nomination for the abc special The Christmas Story, will commute between London and Toronto to write the series’ season premiere and several other episodes.

Peak Practice, now entering its seventh season, follows the professional and personal lives of a group of doctors working in Derbyshire.

‘We rarely engage North Americans to write for British television,’ says series producer Tony Virgo, ‘so it’s a unique pleasure to have her join us,’ citing her writing ability, fresh approach and enthusiasm.

Phillips will also be coproducing her original screenplay The Last Place on Earth with Michael Klein of Endeavor and Stephen Onda of Heartland Motion Pictures.

Phillips has written for and coproduced the first season of Nelvana’s Jake and the Kid, and developed and wrote several episodes for the Nelvana/New Line series Nancy Drew. She also wrote the screenplay for the George Lucas/Jim Henson film Labyrinth.