J.K. Rowling's 'Casual Vacancy' to Be BBC Series
J.K. Rowling's "Casual Vacancy" has enjoyed enormous success in both the United States and United Kingdom. Now the book is being turned into a series for the BBC, reports state, and Rowling could not be happier.
"I'm thrilled that the BBC has commissioned 'The Casual Vacancy,' Rowling said in a public statement. "I always felt that, if it were to be adapted, this novel was best suited to television and I think the BBC is the perfect home."
The BBC has only confirmed that the series has been ordered but has not offered any specifics such as number and length of episodes, or when they may air. The book was an immediate success following the boon of the "Harry Potter" series written by Rowling.
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This first adult novel centers on the lives of those in a small English town, where everyone has a secret and things are not always as idyllic as they seem. Rowling herself told The Guardian before "Vacancy's" release, "I just needed to write this book. I like it a lot; I'm proud of it, and that counts for me."
It's clear that Rowling has been surprised by the book's success. In 2005, she told The Sun, "The first thing I write post-Harry could be absolutely dreadful and, you know, people will buy it. So you're left with this real insecurity."
Someone did buy the book, turn it into a bestseller, and now the BBC wants its turn to ride the coattails of success.
"This project highlights the ambition and scale of BBC One Drama, as well as the ability of modern television to attract the world's biggest talent and most exciting creative ideas," BBC One controller Danny Cohen told The Hollywood Reporter.
"It is thrilling to be bringing the work of J.K. Rowling to BBC One audiences," he added. "J.K. Rowling's story-telling is of course peerless in its popularity, and I am looking forward to collaborating with her."
