Sony on a mission to adapt Alex Rider novels

Sony Pictures Television (SPT)’s international production and distribution divisions have linked up to greenlight an eight-episode young-adult drama series based on Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider novels.

The show will be produced by London indie Eleventh Hour Films (EHF) and will be written by Guy Burt. The series will begin with the second book in the series, Point Blanc, published in 2001 in the UK and 2002 in the US.

EHF’s Eve Gutierrez and Jill Green will executive produce alongside Horowitz and Burt.

EHF optioned the screen rights to Horowitz’s international bestselling novels last year. The books chart the adventures of a reluctant teen superspy on his missions to save the world.

The novels were first published in 2000 and have sold more than 19 million copies worldwide, having been translated into 28 languages. Horowitz’s 12th Alex Rider novel, Nightshade, is due out in 2019.

The first book in the series, Stormbreaker, was turned into a feature film starring Alex Pettyfer in 2006.

EHF and SPT are also developing UFO drama series Rendlesham, which SPT will distribute.

Other EHF productions include New Blood for BBC1 and Safe House, Foyle’s War and Collision, all for ITV.