AceShowbiz - Independent studio A24 has emerged victorious in a competitive bidding war, beating out around 20 other studios to adapt the upcoming mystery thriller novel We Are the Dead into a television series. Founded in 2012, A24 has earned a reputation for producing acclaimed arthouse films like Moonlight (2016), Hereditary (2018), Midsommar (2019), The Lighthouse (2019), Uncut Gems (2019), Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), and the 2025 title Marty Supreme.

Though primarily known for its film slate, A24 has also made significant strides in television, producing hit series such as HBO’s Euphoria, Netflix’s Beef, and HBO’s The Sympathizer, which stars Robert Downey, Jr. Now, according to Deadline, the studio’s UK division, led by Piers Wenger and Rose Garnett, has secured the rights to adapt Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s debut contemporary crime thriller novel.

The story focuses on Brontë Hayes, the head of a London police unit responsible for investigating cases of national importance. The novel opens with a shocking event—the first beheading at the Tower of London in 300 years. Brontë is called upon to investigate the gruesome decapitation of the former Commander of the British Army, who oversaw the largely military community residing on the Tower grounds.

We Are the Dead is expected to launch a series of novels featuring Hayes as the central character. Scheduled for publication next year, the book has already generated considerable buzz, especially after attracting intense interest at last year’s Frankfurt Book Fair. The auction for its adaptation rights was fiercely contested by about 20 bidders before A24 ultimately prevailed.

Development of the television adaptation remains in its early stages. Key details such as the creative team, casting choices, and the network or streaming platform for the series have yet to be announced. However, the project adds to A24’s growing slate of UK television ventures, which include Apple TV’s The Husbands starring Juno Temple, Channel 4’s soccer drama Major Players from Molly Manning Walker, and Michaela Coel’s upcoming series First Day on Earth for the BBC and HBO.

Author Laura Shepherd-Robinson is the daughter of actor Tony Robinson, known for his role in Blackadder. Prior to We Are the Dead, she has written several historical novels including The Art of a Lie, The Square of Sevens, and Daughters of Night. A24’s acquisition of this adaptation marks a significant expansion into contemporary crime thrillers, complementing its established reputation for high-quality film and television productions.