Robin Stevens’ “Murder Most Unladylike” book series will get the TV adaptation treatment.
The book series will be adapted into a TV series by StudioCanal Television, Strong Film and Television and Unladylike Productions, with StudioCanal Kids and Family handling worldwide merchandising and licensing.
Created by Stevens, the series is written by Anna McCleery (Netflix’s “Free Rein,” CBBC’s “A Kind of Spark” and BBC & ZDF’s “The Lady Grace Mysteries), with James Strong (“Broadchurch,” “Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office” and “Fire Country”) attached as lead director. Strong film and television will executive produce alongside Strong’s Matt Tombs and Loretta Preece.
The “Murder Most Unladylike” series marks Stevens’ first project in development under her newly formed film and television production banner Unladylike Productions.
“It has always been my dream to bring Hazel and Daisy and their world to life on screen, and I can’t think of better partners to make that dream a reality. Strong Film & TV have an incredible crime pedigree, and StudioCanal are the caretakers of beloved family IP like ‘Paddington’ and ‘Miffy,’” Stevens said in a statement. “I am so proud to be working with them, and with award-winning writer Anna McCleery – there is so much personal passion within the team, and I know that together we are going to create a version of ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ that will both delight fans and introduce my stories to a huge new audience. It’s an adventure as exciting as anything in my books!”
Set in the 1930s, “Murder Most Unladylike” tackles murder mysteries through the eyes of two unlikely boarding school best friends with grand ambitions.
“We are delighted to be working with the exceptionally talented Robin Stevens, Anna McCleery and the Strong Film + Television team to bring ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ to life,” Studiocanal Television managing director M-K Kennedy said. “The books are a rare and exciting blend of twisty Agatha Christie-style whodunnits, female empowerment, and glossy aspirational settings; all centred around a rich and loveable depiction of female friendship. The lead characters Daisy and Hazel are a duo worthy of Watson & Holmes stature, beloved by millions of fans across the world for their independence, curiosity and wicked sense of humour. The strength of the IP, coupled with the vision of Anna McCleery will ensure this is going to be family co-viewing at its best and testament to our continued ambition to bring bold literary adaptations to television audiences worldwide and with phenomenal franchise opportunity.”
“James, Matt and I could not be more thrilled to be working with Robin Stevens and StudioCanal on these much-loved books and adapting them with all the richness they deserve,” Preece said. “With three daughters who are locked into the ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ fandom, I came to this project with full throttle passion. I understand how well the characters, stories and world resonates with young readers and the excitement levels that families will have to know that these books are coming to screen. Working closely with Robin Stevens, Sarah Reese Geffroy and now Anna McCleery has been pure joy, and we are so excited to dramatise this world with all of James Strong’s trademark sense of visual flair and character depth.”
