Ellery Queen authors Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee
Incendo and BlackBox Multimedia announced they have optioned the TV adaption rights to the Ellery Queen collection of novels and short stories. BlackBox Multimedia and Incendo will co-develop and co-produce a high-end scripted series together.
Ellery Queen, the lead detective hero of the novel series as well as the pseudonym used by the books’ authors, cousins Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee, is one of the most popular American mystery novel series ever published. The books remain huge international bestsellers and have also established a massive fanbase in territories such as China.
Recognised as one of the leading examples of the “fair play” genre of literature, the stories follow Ellery Queen in intricate plots where the reader discovers clues and hints hidden in the story at the same time as the eponymous detective does. The novels are peppered with a range of obvious and less-so culprits, red herrings, and multiple mis-directions to keep audiences guessing.
Shifting the setting of the stories to the modern day, the television series will be adapted to a contemporary world, and the lead role will be cast as a female detective rather than a male as is in the novels. Further announcements on the casting will be made in the new year.
The Estate of Ellery Queen is represented by Jabberwocky Literary Agency.
Giuliano Papadia, CEO and Creative Director at BlackBox Multimedia says “Ellery Queen is one of the most definitive series of detective fiction to ever be written. The stories have been global favourites for a huge part of the 20th and 21st Centuries. They have fascinating plots, unique characters, and settings you love to get lost in. The team at Incendo are the perfect partners for helping modernise this excellent and timeless series of stories.”
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop a new series, based off an already established, globally successful IP,” added Gavin Reardon, International Sales & Co-Production Executive. “In collaborating with the creative minds at BlackBox Multimedia, we are eager to discover the reimagined version of the novels come to life on screens around the world.”
