BBC Studios Production in association with Nice Media Studios and Windowseat have secured the rights to develop the best-selling novel The Chalk Man written by CJ Tudor.
The six- part drama will be adapted by writer Mick Ford (The Boy with the Top Knot, Single Father, William and Mary) and is being produced by BBC Studios Drama.
CJ Tudor’s The Chalk Man, published by Penguin Random House / Michael Joseph (UK) and Penguin Random House / Ballantine (US) in 2018, was a Sunday Times best-seller and has sold in over forty countries. It won widespread acclaim including praise from fellow thriller writers Stephen King and Lee Child.
Set in the picturesque village of Anderbury, it tells the story of Eddie and his four friends – Gav, Mickey, Hoppo and Nicky. Their teacher, Mr Halloran – who they have christened The Chalk Man – gave them the idea for the chalk drawings; a way for the friends to leave each other secret messages. It was fun until the chalk men led them to the dead body of a 17-year-old girl.
Thirty years later, Eddie believes the past is far behind him – until an envelope slips through the letter box containing a stick of chalk and the drawing of a figure he recognises… are the Chalk Men back?
CJ Tudor says: “I am chuffed to bits that The Chalk Man is being developed for TV and couldn’t wish for a better team to bring the book and its characters to life. I’ve had so many readers tell me how much they would love to see The Chalk Man on screen, so this is great news for them and me!!
Tom Sherry, Head of Drama North, BBC Studios says: “Telling stories is at the heart of our work at BBC Studios Drama and CJ Tudor’s chilling tale of an adulthood haunted by the past, is a story we knew TV viewers around the world would be gripped by. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with CJ Tudor and with our partners Nice Media Studios and Windowseat to bring this thriller to life.”
Sam Sokolow, Chairman of Nice Media Studios says: “Few books jump off the page and scream to be made into a television series the way CJ’s masterful thriller The Chalk Man does. Mick Ford’s authentic voice and dynamic vision serve the material great justice.”
Bill Kiely, President of Windowseat Pictures says: “Windowseat’s strategy to discover first time authors paid off with CJ Tudor’s The Chalk Man. Though The Chalk Man is set in the UK, it is totally relatable to a reader here in the states. We are over the moon to be collaborating with BBC Studios on this series.”
Madeleine Milburn, Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency says: ‘I am thrilled that The Chalk Man is making its way to screen…an award-winning international bestseller across the globe, Tudor has so many fans who will be exhilarated by this latest development’
The TV rights to CJ Tudor’s book The Chalk Man are jointly owned by BBC Studios, Nice Media and Windowseat. Executives Producers will be Tom Sherry and Priscilla Parish for BBC Studios; Sam Sokolow for Nice Media and Bill Kiely for Windowseat. CJ Tudor is represented by Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency
Jon Creamer
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