Studiocanal is set to adapt Robin Stevens’ hit children’s mystery series Murder Most Unladylike for television. Created by Stevens and adapted for the screen by Anna McCleery (Free Rein, The Lady Grace Mysteries), the six-part drama will be directed by James Strong (Broadchurch, Mr Bates vs. The Post Office) as lead director.
The TV series is described as blending Enola Holmes with Agatha Christie, and follows Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, two sharp-witted schoolgirls at Deepdean School for Girls, who run their own secret detective agency.
The book franchise, which the series is based on, starts with Daisy and Hazel stumbling upon the dead body of Miss Bell, the Science Mistress. Minutes later, the corpse vanishes. With no one else believing a crime has taken place, Daisy and Hazel set out to prove a murder happened at all. To crack the case, they’ll need every ounce of cunning, courage, and teamwork before the killer strikes again.
With 12 novels in the main series and a three-book spin-off, the Murder Most Unladylike franchise has been translated into 21 languages and sold more than 3.1 million copies worldwide.
The author, Robin Stevens, has commented:
“It has always been my dream to bring Hazel and Daisy and their world to life on screen, and I can’t think of better partners to make that dream a reality. Strong Film & TV have an incredible crime pedigree, and Studiocanal are the caretakers of beloved family IP like Paddington and Miffy. I am so proud to be working with them, and with award-winning writer Anna McCleery – there is so much personal passion within the team, and I know that together we are going to create a version of ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ that will both delight fans and introduce my stories to a huge new audience.”
Strong Film + Television will executive produce alongside Matt Tombs and Loretta Preece. Studiocanal, which invested in Strong Film + Television in 2023, is producing in collaboration with Stevens’ newly launched banner, Unladylike Productions.
M-K Kennedy, managing director of Studiocanal Television, said:
“We are delighted to be working with the exceptionally talented Robin Stevens, Anna McCleery and the Strong Film + Television team to bring Murder Most Unladylike to life. The books are a rare and exciting blend of twisty Agatha Christie-style whodunnits, female empowerment, and glossy aspirational settings; all centred around a rich and loveable depiction of female friendship. The lead characters Daisy and Hazel are a duo worthy of Watson & Holmes stature, beloved by millions of fans across the world for their independence, curiosity and wicked sense of humour.”
Studiocanal Kids & Family will oversee global licensing and merchandising for the Murder Most Unladylike TV series.
Source: Variety
