Matt Smith is to star in and executive produce a Sky Original adaptation of Nick Cave’s darkly comic novel The Death of Bunny Munro. The six-part series written by Pete Jackson is produced by Clerkenwell Films in association with Sky Studios. Nick Cave also serves as Executive Producer.
Following his wife Libby’s suicide, sex addict, door-to-door beauty product salesman and self-professed lothario Bunny Munro finds himself saddled with a young son and only a loose concept of parenting. Together with nine-year-old Bunny Junior he embarks on an epic and increasingly out-of-control road trip across Southern England as the two struggle to contain their grief in very different ways.
The search for an actor to play the young Bunny Junior is already underway, with the hope of uncovering an exciting new talent.
Matt Smith said: To work alongside Nick Cave on The Death of Bunny Munro feels like a great honour. It’s a brilliant exploration of love, grief, and chaos. At its heart a deep, difficult, and tender story about a father and son, coping with loss and change. Clerkenwell Films and Sky feels like the perfect home to make such a bold story and Pete has delivered such wonderful scripts, both funny and heart breaking in equal measure. I can’t wait to collaborate with Isabella and begin the journey with everyone at Clerkenwell.”
Nick Cave said: “Finally, someone with the courage to take on this unholy tale. I am thrilled that Sky and Clerkenwell Films are bringing Bunny to life, in all his flawed glory, and I can think of nobody better than Matt Smith to play him.”
Petra Fried, Managing Director, Clerkenwell Films said: “We’re so excited to be working with Pete, Matt, Nick, Isabella and Sky on The Death of Bunny Munro, a timely tale about masculinity, dark and twisted but also full of humour and humanity. Pete’s scripts brilliantly capture Nick’s creation, and we can’t wait to see Matt bring this singular anti-hero to life.”
Meghan Lyvers, Director of Original Series, Sky Studios UK&I said: “We are thrilled to support Pete Jackson, Matt Smith, Nick Cave, Isabella Eklöf and Clerkenwell Films in bringing this beloved novel, The Death of Bunny Munro, to screen as a provocative, heart-breaking, and powerful examination of a relationship between father and son as we build on our commitment to bring bold characters and ambitious stories to our Sky audiences.”
The Death of Bunny Munro is produced by Clerkenwell Films, who are wholly owned by BBC Studios, in association with Sky Studios. Commissioning Editor, Manpreet Dosanjh, is Executive Producer for Sky Studios. Petra Fried, Ed Macdonald and Emily Harrison are Executive Producers for Clerkenwell Films. Matt Smith, Nick Cave, Pete Jackson and Isabella Eklöf also serve as Executive Producers. The Producer is Matthew Mulot (Ghosts).
The series will begin filming in Spring 2024 across the south of England and will be available on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in the UK. NBCUniversal Global Distribution handle international sales of the series on behalf of Sky Studios.
Matt Smith is represented by Maison Two, B-Side and UTA.
Clerkenwell’s upcoming productions include Baby Reindeer (Netflix) based on Richard Gadd’s Olivier-winning show, and Charlie Covell and Iain Weatherby’s Truelove (Channel 4). Clerkenwell Films is wholly owned by BBC Studios.
Pippa Considine
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