HBO is developing a limited series take on “The Birds” with Sarah Snook in the lead role, Variety has confirmed.
The show is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film and Daphne du Maurier’s novella of the same name. The package was first reported to be on the market over the summer, with the project now landing at HBO.
The official logline states:
“Escaping a bitter custody battle, Myra Massey (Snook) returns home with her young daughter, secretly probing a childhood friend’s suspicious disappearance. With a killer on the loose and personal threats mounting, Myra fights to protect her daughter against a terrifying new menace: vicious, deadly bird attacks inexplicably tied to the crime.”
Tom Spezialy wrote the pilot and will executive produce. David Heyman and Danny Samit also executive produce for Heyday Television. Snook will executive produce in addition to starring, with Jennifer Gabler Rawlings also executive producing. HBO will co-produce with Universal Global Television, with the rights to “The Birds” controlled by Universal Pictures and the du Maurier estate.
du Maurier’s original story was first published in 1952, with Hitchcock’s film version releasing in 1963. The film has proven to be a milestone in the horror genre in the years since its release.
The role brings Snook back to HBO, where she famously starred in the premium cabler’s hit drama “Succession” for four seasons. She received three Emmy nominations, with one win, for her work on the show, as well as two Golden Globe awards. It also keeps her in business with Universal, as she recently starred in the Peacock series “All Her Fault,” for which she also received an Emmy nomination.
Spezialy is no stranger to HBO himself, having previously worked on both “Watchmen” and “The Leftovers” at the network. Heyman, meanwhile, is currently an executive producer on HBO’s highly-anticipated “Harry Potter” series, the first season of which debuts this Christmas.
Snook is repped by UTA, Omni Artists, Shanahan Management and Hansen Jacobson Teller. Spezialy is repped by WME, Manage-ment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Heyday Television is repped by WME and Goodman Genow.
Deadline first reported the development news.
Leave a Reply