Adaptation news roundup: June 19–25

The pipeline from page to screen shows no signs of slowing. Here’s a quick look at the latest adaptation announcements, casting updates and projects in development.

Additional casting announced for ‘Boys of Tommen’

Prime Video’s forthcoming romantic drama series “Boys of Tommen” has added to its cast. Amelia May, John Hewson, Indy Lewis, Alex Dunne, Dixie Egerckx, Daisy Jacob, Jonathan Heed and Cathal Ó Síocháin will join the previously announced cast of Nancy Surridge, Conor Sanchez, James O’Donoghue and Sophie McGibbon, the streamer announced Thursday. 

The series is an adaptation of Chloe Walsh’s TikTok-famous “Boys of Tommen” books, with the first season based on two books—“Binding 13” and “Keeping 13.” It tells the story of the forbidden romance between Shannon and Johnny at the prestigious Irish private school Tommen College. 

‘Dept. Q’ back in production for Season 2

Netflix announced Thursday that Season 2 of “Dept. Q,” based on the novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen, has begun production. The cold case procedural series features the return of Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck and his team of misfits played by Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne and Jamie Sives. No release date has been announced. 

Alex de la Iglesia to direct ‘Ages of Madness: The Howling of the Jinn’

Production company 3Doubles Producciones announced Wednesday that filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia will tackle his first animated feature, an adaptation based on H.P. Lovecraft’s “Necronomicon.” The book includes a series of disturbing tales, which will be rendered into a “grotesque and fascinating aesthetic” in the 3D animated film “Ages of Madness: The Howling of the Jinn.” No release date has been announced. 

Cinderella adaptation ‘Steps’ gets release date

Netflix announced that its new Cinderella adaptation, “Steps,” will hit the streaming platform on Nov. 20. The animated feature tells the little-known story of Cinderella’s evil stepsisters, Lilith (Ali Wong) and Margot (Stephanie Hsu). Lilith steals the Fairy Godmother’s (Bette Midler) magic wand and takes over the famous ball with Margot. The two must then team up with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) on a quest to save the kingdom.

Adaptation of AJ Dungo’s memoir ‘In Waves’ heads to Netflix

Netflix announced Wednesday that an animated adaptation of “In Waves” will be released Dec. 11. The streamer also released first-look images from the film directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen. The feature film is an adaptation of the autobiographical graphic novel of the same name by AJ Dungo. The film features the voices of Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu as teenagers falling in love and facing the consequences of a sudden illness. 

‘The Other Bennet Sister’ gets Christmas special

“The Other Bennet Sister” is returning in December for a three-episode Christmas special. It will feature the return of Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, the middle of the five sisters introduced in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” The 10-episode first season of the series was an adaptation of Janice Hadlow’s novel of the same name. BritBox said Wednesday the Regency-era drama drove more new subscribers to the streaming service than any other series launch in its history. 

‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ returns Aug. 6

Netflix announced Wednesday that the popular young adult series “My Life with the Walter Boys” will return Aug. 6. The streamer also released new photos from Season 3. The series picks up from the emotional cliffhanger of Season 2 in which Cole (Noah LaLonde) and Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) declare their love for each other as Cole’s father is taken by ambulance to the hospital. 

The series, adapted from the book of the same name by Ali Novak, has already been renewed for a fourth season, which is expected to premiere in 2027. 

‘The Magic School Bus’ to hit big screen

‘80s kids, rejoice! Everyone’s favorite science teacher, Ms. Frizzle, is coming back to the screen. Legendary Films announced Wednesday it is working on a film adaptation of “The Magic School Bus” children’s book series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. The new film will star Elizabeth Banks in the lead role. 

“The Magic School Bus” follows quirky science teacher Ms. Frizzle and her magical bus, which can shrink down in size and take her students on adventures to explore the world around them. Lily Tomlin voiced the character for four seasons of an animated series that debuted in 1994. 

Netflix options ‘The Everlasting’ fantasy novel

Netflix has optioned the rights to author Alix E. Harrow’s fantasy novel “The Everlasting,” Variety reported Tuesday. The author, herself, confirmed the news in a post on Instagram. She said every book she’s ever written has been optioned at some point. 

“But this is the first time anybody has been serious enough to want to put it in the paper,” she wrote in the post sharing the Variety article. “I have all of you to thank, really—they wouldn’t be this serious if y’all weren’t so serious about this book.”

“The Everlasting” is about a female knight, Sir Una Everlasting, and a historian caught in a time loop. 

Netflix shares first look of ‘The Secret Woman’

Netflix released the first still images from its upcoming Danish thriller, “The Secret Woman.” The streamer also announced the film will be released Aug. 28. Based on the novel of the same name written by Anna Ekberg—the pseudonym for Danish author duo Anders Rønnow Klarlund and Jacob Weinreich—the film follows Louise Andersen, who lives on a Norwegian island with her partner and runs a cafe. 

The logline says: “Suddenly, her idyllic world shatters when a strange man enters the café and claims that she is not who she believes she is. He asserts that she is a woman who disappeared from Denmark three years earlier, leaving her husband searching for her ever since.” 

Mog the cat returns to screens in Channel 4 Christmas special

Britain’s Channel 4 on Monday announced a new Christmastime special featuring Mog the cat, based on the series of children’s picture books by Judith Kerr. The grey-and-white tabby is the subject of some 20 books first published in 1970. In 2023, “Mog’s Christmas” featured the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Adjoa Andoh, Amelie Law, Teddy Skelton and Claire Foy. 

In the sequel, “Mog’s Bad Thing,” John Thomson, Katherine Parkinson, Mawaan Rizwan and Amelia Theodorou join the cast. Channel 4 didn’t announce an air date for the television special. 

‘A Woman of Substance’ to return for second season

Britain’s Channel 4 announced Monday that its decade-spanning revenge drama “A Woman of Substance” will return for a second season. Starring Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds, the series is about Emma Harte, a housemaid-turned-business mogul. In her youth, she was wronged by a man, and she’s worked her entire life to finally get revenge on him and his family. 

Season 1, which first aired March 11, 2026, was an adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s book of the same name. 

‘Bosch: Start of Watch’ wraps filing

Actor Ryan McPartlin (Mike Garner) shared photos from the wrap party for the first season of “Bosch: Start of Watch.” He’s joined in one of the photos by fellow actors in the series Cameron Monaghan (Harry Bosch) and Azita Ghanizada (Stacy), and his wife, fellow actor Danielle Kirlin. 

The “Bosch” prequel series based on Michael Connelly’s crime fiction series about Detective Harry Bosch has no release date. The original series ran for seven series, ending in 2021. 

‘Pippi Longstocking’ returns in new animated series

Studiocanal announced Friday that it’s developing a new animated adaptation of “Pippi Longstocking.” Based on the series of books by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, the series will feature Pippi, the “fearless, funny and free-spirited hero in all her red-headed glory,” Studiocanal said in a summary. 

This won’t be the first time Pippi has appeared on the screen. In fact, this will be the 11th adaptation of the popular Swedish book series since 1949’s “Pippi Långstrump,” which starred Viveca Serlachius in the titular role. (This elder millennial’s favorite version happens to be 1988’s “The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking” starring Tami Erin.)

Studiocanal adapting ‘Toto the Ninja Cat’ books

Studiocanal announced Friday that it’s adapting the children’s book series “Toto the Ninja Cat” by Dermot O’Leary. The studio is turning the bestselling books into an animated series based on illustrations by Nick East. Toto is the subject of six children’s books with a seventh—“Toto the Ninja Cat and the Football Fiasco”—expected later this year. 

One response to “Adaptation news roundup: June 19–25”

  1. virginia pruet Avatar
    virginia pruet

    So much to look forward to!

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