A huge update from the world of Gormenghast: the TV adaptation of Mervyn Peake’s beloved goth-y oddball fantasy epic has just been snatched up by Showtime! According to Variety, the network has ordered it script-to-series.
There’s some development on the credits side as well: Doctor Who‘s Toby Whithouse, who was previously announced as writer and executive producer, will now be the showrunner as well. Additionally, EPs Neil Gaiman and Akiva Goldsman will be joined by Dante Di Loreto, Oliver Jones, Barry Spikings, and David Stern.
While this isn’t the first Gormenghast adaptation, it is the first time all five books (the trilogy consisting of Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone, the novella Boy in Darkness, and the posthumously published Titus Awakes) will make it into the show. The previous Gormenghast series, a BBC production from 2000 starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, only covered books 1 and 2.
In case you haven’t yet ventured into the creepily whimsical world of Gormenghast (which everyone should, at least once), here’s the original trilogy’s official synopsis from Penguin Books:
Gormenghast is the vast, crumbling castle to which the seventy-seventh Earl, Titus Groan, is lord and heir. Titus is expected to rule this gothic labyrinth of turrets and dungeons (and his eccentric and wayward subjects) according to strict age-old rituals, but things are changing in the castle. Titus must contend with treachery, manipulation and murder as well as his own longing for a life beyond the castle walls.
The show will be co-produced by Fremantle, which is behind Starz’ American Gods adaptation, and Variety reports a writers’ room will be opening soon. There’s no word on storylines, casting, or a tentative release date.
In the meantime, check-out our piece on whether Gormenghast could become the next Game of Thrones.
