Lionsgate Television UK announced two new development projects in partnership with publishers Harper Collins and Myriad Editions – “The People at Number 9” and “The Other Side”. Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) will produce both series and sell global rights, including the U.S. and UK.

The People at Number 9” is published by Harper Collins and written by Felicity Everett. It is a dark and delicious novel about envy, longing and betrayal in the suburbs. Lionsgate is currently attaching a writer to adapt as a returning series.

Steve November, Creative Director, Lionsgate UK Television comments, “Felicity’s novel is a brilliantly incisive and acerbic view of families and friendships, vanities and vulnerabilities; the smallest actions have the biggest consequences for these real, recognisable, flawed people and we are delighted to be adapting “The People at Number 9” for television.

Author Felicity Everett added, “I am so excited that The People at Number 9 is to be brought to life by Lionsgate. From the moment it’s published, a book belongs to its readers as much as its author and their take is always fascinating, so to see this story told in a whole new format, interpreted by a team with such a brilliant track record will be like being inside the head of a reader who is enjoying your book, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.”

Kate Mills, Publishing Director at HQ at Harper Collins, said, “From page one of The People at Number 9, when Sara eyes her new neighbours across the street, I felt I knew these characters personally and I was sure that readers would recognise and respond to them too. This is a universal tale of our times, a look at the lines that get crossed in friendships and marriages, the fallings-out that go on in every road, wherever you live. It’s been terrific seeing the book embraced by readers and reviewers and I’m delighted that viewers will now get to meet the new neighbours as well.”

The Other Side” is published by Myriad Editions and written by debut novelist Stephen Mullan.

November added “The Other Side is not your typical crime novel or memoir. In Joe Agnetti, Stephen has created a huge character, an antihero who takes us with him on every step of his journey through love, betrayal, guilt, confession and redemption, keeping us on the edge of our seat whilst never losing his sense of humour. It’s a brilliant debut and we are very excited to be able to bring Joe to the screen.”  

Candida Lacey, Publishing Director of Myriad Editions, said: Stephen came to our attention through Myriad’s annual work-in-progress competition, First Drafts. His 5,000-word extract was selected for the shortlist from over 2000 entries. The judges, including bestselling crime writers Peter James, Elizabeth Haynes and Elly Griffiths, were all impressed by the authenticity of Stephen’s writing and his compelling storytelling. The Other Side will make cutting-edge television and bring Stephen’s work to the global audience it deserves.”

Both deals were negotiated for Lionsgate by Alexandra Keen, Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, and Rachael Elliott, Senior Legal Counsel. THE OTHER SIDE was negotiated for Myriad Editions by Beverley Gee. THE PEOPLE AT NUMBER 9 was negotiated with Emily Hayward Whitlock at the Artists Partnership in association with Sallyanne Sweeney at Mulcahy Associates.

Scala Consultancy is a business and commercial affairs consultancy with expertise in many areas of law and business across various industry sectors

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