The BBC is in talks on a proposal to turn Lord Archer's chequered life into a television film.
While his disgrace offers rich pickings for a drama, controversy could arise from a suggestion that the jailed peer be portrayed as a maligned hero.
One source said: "Everything will be turned on its head, everything that Archer did wrong will be seen as a good thing. It will be Archer through his own eyes."
Drama executives have approached Guy Jenkin, who co-produced and co-wrote the hit Channel 4 sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey, to write the script.
Archer is serving a four year sentence for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
The project is being spearheaded by Mark Redhead, the head of drama at Hat Trick Productions and a former Granada TV executive, who is responsible for an upcoming film about Bloody Sunday, starring James Nesbitt.
Mr Redhead said yesterday: "This is an interesting idea and that's all at this stage. There is no commission and no scripts have been written."
A source said the suggestion that Archer could be portrayed as a tragic hero was simply an idea up for discussion.
The script would be expected to include the infamous libel trial involving prostitute Monica Coghlan; Archer's relationship with Lady Thatcher; the Anglia shares scandal; his campaign to become mayor of London; and the peer's subsequent descent into ignominy.
It is also expected to delve into Archer's sexual history, giving the production team an opportunity to expose his bedroom fantasies and foibles.
There is ample material. At Mr Jenkin's disposal are transcripts of two trials, Michael Crick's unauthorised biography, and the reports of numerous witnesses, including two ex-girlfriends, Sally Farmiloe and Nikki Kingdon, who sold their stories to Sunday newspapers following the trial.
No casting decisions have been taken, but possible candidates for the hero could include Nigel Havers (known for his role in The Charmer), Jack Nicholson (with his menacing looks and reputation as an ageing lothario), or Gary Oldman, who has plenty of experience of playing villains.
Mary Archer would feature strongly in the script. Actors who could play her include Helena Bonham Carter, Claire Bloom, or Juliette Binoche. Alternatively, if the BBC looks in house for an actor known for portraying a long suffering character, it could choose Wendy Richard, better known as the miserable Pauline Fowler in EastEnders.
