Apple falls for Shantaram novel

Apple has paired up with American Hustle’s Eric Warren Singer to adapt Gregory David Roberts’ bestselling novel Shantaram for TV.

Shantaram is heading to TV

The tech giant has agreed a deal to develop the show with US producers Anonymous Content and Paramount Television, which acquired rights to the 2003 novel earlier this year.

Shantaram which has sold more than six million copies worldwide, follows a criminal who escapes from prison in Australia and starts a new life among the Indian underworld. The deal includes rights to Roberts’ sequel novel The Mountain Shadow.

Singer is attached to write and will exec produce the show along with David Manson (Ozark) and Anonymous Content’s Nicole Clemens, plus Steve Golin and Andrea Barron.

A movie adaptation of the novel had previously been in the works with Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and Joel Edgerton on board.

Apple has been rapidly expanding its TV orders over the past six months, ordering shows including Are You Sleeping from Reese Witherspoon’s prodco Hello Sunshine and Amazing Stories from Steven Spielberg.

Apple first dipped its toe into exclusive programming with unscripted shows Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke.