UK-based production company One Big Picture has boarded BlackBox Multimedia and Stone Village TV’s series adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (The Modern Prometheus). The three parties are co-producing the premium television series.

One Big Picture was co-founded by Otto Bathurst, multi-BAFTA award winning director of Peaky Blinders, His Dark Materials, Black Mirror and Robin Hood, who is now confirmed to direct. Bradley McManus (Bodyguard of Lies) is on board to write the series.

Unlike previous adaptations, this version of the classic novel will capture the nuanced behaviours and obsessions of a scientist exploring the fine thread between life and death in the context of the contemporary scientific discoveries of the last decade – and more significantly, following a year of global dependence on scientific invention and breakthrough.  The series will stay true to the original work and characters, which re-defined its genre, and remains entirely modern today.

The adapted series will be a fresh take on the book with added experiential elements to update the story for modern international viewers.  It will be a portal to look at the current human condition set against the vivid world of pre-Victorian Europe, as the psychological thriller of Creature and its Creator plays out, with characters and story lines that could continue in successive seasons. 

Bathurst and One Big Picture have just directed and produced the forthcoming series Halo for Amblin Television, Showtime and Paramount +.

Stone Village TV is finishing production on Station Eleven for Paramount Television and HBO Max.

Bathurst and One Big Picture’s attachment was negotiated by Michael Schenkman at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, LLP, Scott Seidel at WME and Anthony Mestriner at Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.