Universal Pictures has hired Matthew Michael Carnahan to adapt the screenplay for the award-winning BBC miniseries "State of Play" reports Reuters.

"State," which tackles the intersection of politics and journalism, revolves around an elected government official and his former campaign manager-turned-journalist for a high-profile national paper. When two seemingly unrelated slayings are linked by a single phone call, the two friends find themselves on opposite sides of an investigation.

Universal acquired the feature film rights to the miniseries in December. The original production scored three BAFTA awards and an acclaimed performance from veteran UK actor Bill Nighy.

Carnahan's writing credits include adapting the James Ellroy novel "White Jazz," which brother Joe Carnahan is attached to direct. He also wrote "The Kingdom," which Peter Berg is directing.

Thanks to 'Mark'.