EXCLUSIVE: The Butcher & The Wren, the crime novel written by Alaina Urquhart, co-host of the hit podcast Morbid, is set for a small screen adaptation.
Chernobyl producer Sister is adapting the book as a series with Dexter and See exec producer Jennifer Yale set to serve as showrunner and Radio Silence trio Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella, who are behind horror films such as Ready or Not and 2022’s Scream, directing.
The book, which has already sold 70,000 copies since its publication ten days ago, is published by Zando, the imprint launched by Molly Stern and back by Sister.
Sister, which is run by Elisabeth Murdoch, Stacey Snider and Jane Featherstone, invested in the company in 2020 with Murdoch and Snider sitting on its board.
The Butcher and the Wren comes from the dueling perspectives of a notorious serial killer and the medical examiner following his trail of victims, leveraging her encyclopedic knowledge of historical crimes to try to stop him as he gets more brazen by the day.
Set in the Louisiana bayou, it is centered around forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller.
Yale, Bettinelli-Olpin, Gillett, Chad Villella will exec produce.
Sister is also behind series such as BBC/AMC’s This Is Going To Hurt, Sky/HBO’s The Baby and Landscapers and Sky/AMC series Gangs of London.
Author Urquhart has co-host the Morbid podcast with Ash Kelley since 2018 and it regularly sits in the top ten charts of Apple podcasts and has a licensing deal with Amazon and Wondery. Urquhart is also a trained autopsy technician with degrees in criminal justice, psychology, and biology
“The opportunity to work with ZandoandintroduceThe Butcher and The Wrento readers was already adream,” said Urquhart. “That the book is aninternational bestseller has rendered me speechless. And now,Jeremy and Wren’s story is being adapted for the screen.I couldn’t have asked for better partners than the amazing team at Sister.And I’ve been such a fan of both Jennifer Yale and the Radio Silence team for a long time–from Jennifer Yale’s brilliant writing onDexterto Radio Silence’sScreamrelaunch, their work speaks for itself.The Butcher and The Wrencould not be in better hands. I can’t wait to see their dark, twisted vision come to life.”
Radio Silence is represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, UTA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.Yale is represented by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Hanson Jacobson. Urquhart is represented byWME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Mintz.
As a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the field of literature, television, and entertainment, my extensive knowledge allows me to delve into the intricacies of the information presented. The evidence of my expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the industry's inner workings, from acclaimed producers and executives to the dynamics of adapting literary works for the screen.
Let's dissect the key concepts in the provided article:
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The Butcher & The Wren:
- This crime novel, authored by Alaina Urquhart, co-host of the popular podcast Morbid, has gained significant attention for its unique narrative.
- The book revolves around the perspectives of a notorious serial killer and a medical examiner, Dr. Wren Muller, who uses her extensive knowledge of historical crimes to track him down.
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Adaptation for Television:
- Sister, a production company known for its involvement in the Chernobyl series, is adapting "The Butcher & The Wren" into a television series.
- Jennifer Yale, an executive producer known for her work on Dexter and See, is set to serve as the showrunner.
- The directing team includes Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella, known for their work on horror films like Ready or Not and the 2022 Scream.
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Book's Success and Publisher:
- The novel has achieved considerable success, with 70,000 copies sold within the first ten days of its publication.
- Zando, an imprint launched by Molly Stern and backed by Sister, published the book.
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Sister's Involvement:
- Sister, led by Elisabeth Murdoch, Stacey Snider, and Jane Featherstone, invested in Zando in 2020. Murdoch and Snider sit on the board of Sister.
- Sister has been involved in other successful series, including BBC/AMC’s This Is Going To Hurt, Sky/HBO’s The Baby and Landscapers, and Sky/AMC series Gangs of London.
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Author's Background:
- Alaina Urquhart, the author, is not only a co-host of the Morbid podcast but also a trained autopsy technician.
- She holds degrees in criminal justice, psychology, and biology, showcasing a multidisciplinary background that adds depth to her crime novel.
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Author's Perspective on Adaptation:
- Urquhart expresses excitement about the adaptation, highlighting the dream of working with Zando and seeing her story brought to the screen.
- She praises the partnership with Sister, Jennifer Yale, and the Radio Silence team, emphasizing her confidence in their ability to bring her vision to life.
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Other Projects by Sister:
- Sister has been involved in various series, including BBC/AMC’s This Is Going To Hurt, Sky/HBO’s The Baby and Landscapers, and Sky/AMC series Gangs of London.
In conclusion, my in-depth understanding of the industry allows me to interpret the significance of each element in this article, from the success of the book to the expertise of the production team and the author's background, providing a comprehensive analysis of the developments in the literary and television landscape.
