*North Korean hackers targeted a British television company making a drama about the country, it has emerged. *

The series – due to be written by an Oscar-nominated screenwriter – has been shelved.

In August 2014, Channel 4 announced what it said would be a new “bold and provocative” drama series.

Titled Opposite Number, the programme’s plot involved a British nuclear scientist taken prisoner in North Korea.

The production firm involved – Mammoth Screen – subsequently had its computers attacked.

The project has not moved forward because of a failure to secure funding, the company says.