Before it was commissioned through the Scottish Film Talent Network (SFTN) New Talent scheme in 2016, 1745 started out life very differently as a magical fantasy film called "The Atkin Sisters" telling the story of two "hybrid" sisters with "special powers". The original concept from writer Morayo Akandé and 'Script Developer' Moyo Akandé was "... a fantasy drama set in early 18th century Scotland. Follow the tales of two sisters, Emma and Rebecca, two slaves who have escaped their master. Wanted and on the run they struggle to control their newly discovered powers as hybrids and escape the evils that hunt them." The project was developed away from fantasy drama into the historical drama, 1745, with the support of director Gordon Napier, producer John McKay and the guidance of SFTN mentor and Executive Producer Paul Welsh and historians at The University of Glasgow.