Adaptations. Netflux. Hulu. Laika.
Hulu is poaching on Netflix’s turf. Upcoming YA novel Capsized is being developed into a drama series by Hulu with Pretty Little Liars producer Charlie Craig and 20th Television on board. Set in the world of competitive female high-school rowing, the novel follows a beginner alongside the Varsity captain who uncovers dark secrets behind their coach’s legacy. Netflix has certainly capitalized the most on the YA genre with hits like Stranger Things, Ginny & Georgia, and Outer Banks, to name a few. After the viral success of Hulu’s Tell Me Lies, I’m not surprised the streamer is giving another coming-of-age series a go.
Short story The Decorator stirred an 11-studio bidding war with Netflix landing on top. While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, the drama series is a psychosexual drama set in the world of opulent interior design. Author Cody Behran is writing the adaptation as well as producing alongside Django Unchained producer Stacey Sher. The win for Netflix is one of several recent straight-to-series orders following A24’s Next Door with Tessa Thompson and the graphic novel series adaptation Rabbit, Rabbit starring Adam Driver.
The live-action division of Laika Studios (Coraline) lands Emily St. John Mandel’s upcoming novel Exit Party. Emma Stone (Bugonia) and Dave McCary (Problemista) are to EP. The mind-bending epic follows different characters through multiple timelines as a man disappears from a Los Angeles Party. The deal is said to be in the low seven figures. With Laika stepping further into live-action, it will be exciting to see whether the studio can bring the same creative world-building that made its animation so hauntingly unique.
Bonus:
Motive Pictures (Producer of Young Sherlock) is developing two new series with Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James. The first project, Marauders, is set in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy and follows a bloodthirsty outlaw. The second, The School, is a revenge epic spanning the Americas. This is not the first collaboration between James and Motive Pictures, as they previously worked together on Get Millie Black – James’ first television project.