By Georgie Cutler, Eva Lee and Emma Leask
Acquisition News
Transworld pre-empts Greek retelling from Rosie Hewlett
Rosie Hewlett’s feminist retelling of Medea is set to be published by Transworld, her second Greek myth retelling following the publication of Medusa last April. The UK and Commonwealth rights to her newest book were acquired by Lara Stevenson, Assistant Editor, with an expected publication date of spring 2024 in hardback, e-book and audio formats. Hewlett’s latest work is guaranteed to be a fascinating look into an aspect of the classic story of Jason and the Argonauts that has received little attention as of yet. Hewlett herself has a degree from the University of Birmingham in classical literature and civilisation, and her debut novel even won the Rubery Book of the Year award in 2021. We’re so excited to read this darkly fierce and captivating story!
New book by Miriam Margolyes to be published
British national treasure Miriam Margolyes is to be published for the second time by John Murray Press, following the success of her first book and memoir This Much Is True. More stories from her fascinatingly entertaining life are to come in Oh Miriam!, which is expected to be published September next year. The book already promises more jaw-dropping stories from Margolyes’ life than she has ever revealed before, written in her own familiarly heart-warming tone. The book will be accompanied by a tour, where Margolyes will take her stories to stages across the UK. It is guaranteed to be an entertaining, shocking and emotional read for all.
From Book to Screen
What to watch?
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio coming to Netflix
Based on the 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, Guillermo del Toro is putting his spin on this fantastical tale in his latest release Pinocchio. The film will adapt the story of a wooden puppet’s desire to be human through del Toro’s “gothic lens” (Netflix). It will go beyond Pinocchio’s pining, as explored in previous adaptations, with del Toro delving into the relationship between Geppetto and Pinocchio – father and son – in the wider context of Mussolini’s Italy. Gregory Mann stars as the titular puppet, alongside David Bradley, Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton, Ron Perlman and Cate Blanchett. Co-written by Guillermo del Toro and Patrick McHale, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio can be watched on Netflix from 9 December 2022.
In the works
Plated Prisoner series set for TV adaptation
Raven Kennedy’s Plated Prisoner series is set to be adapted by Peter Guber’s Mandalay Television. Originally self-published in late 2020, the final book of the series will be released in June 2023 by Penguin. The Plated Prisoner series consists of five novels: Gild, Glint, Gleam, Glow and Gold. They follow the story of Auren, a woman saved by King Midas and kept in a gilded cage. As war threatens the kingdom and deals are made, Auren starts to question who she can trust and what she has been told. Vanessa Johnston from Mandalay Television has joined the project as a Development Executive to bring the bestselling fantasy series to the television screen. There is no word yet on a release date but we can’t wait to hear more about this transformative King Midas retelling.
Rom-com The Perfect Find in the works
Netflix has picked up romantic comedy novel The Perfect Find, written by Tia Williams. Actress and director Numa Perrier is set to direct, with Leigh Davenport as the scriptwriter. The story follows Jenna Jones, a forty-year-old former fashion designer who loses her job and fiancé. She takes a job with her old enemy, Darcy Vale, but soon finds herself in a relationship with the twenty-two-year-old videographer of the company who is Darcy’s son. We’re excited to see the scandalous and romantic adaptation and how this will be portrayed in different scenarios. Currently, there is no new information on a release date, as filming finished in the summer of 2021, but we hope to see it be released in 2023.
Adam Silvera’s They Both Die At The End Adaptation
Adam Silvera’s number one New York Times bestselling novel is set to be adapted into a series, with Entertainment One acquiring rights. Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusenwill co-write the series alongside Silvera, who will be the Executive Producer. The YA novel centres around queer Latinx characters in a future dystopian society where a company called Death-Cast informs people about when they are going to die. Mateo and Rufus are strangers when they get their calls. They each download Last Friend, an app created to match up people who are going to die on the same day so that they can live their final days together with a friend. The project is still in the early stages of development, so no details about the casting or release date are available yet, but we expect a possible release in 2023.