Streamer HBO Max has set its pilot slate, handing out pilot orders to three projects — one-hour drama The Rules of Magic, from writer Melissa Rosenberg (Marvel’s Jessica Jones); half-hour dramedy Generation, from 17-year-old Zelda Barnz, her father Daniel Barnz and executive producer Lena Dunham; and hourlong YA drama Red Bird Lane, from writer Sara Gran (Southland) and executive produced by John Wells. The Rules of Magic, which also has received a 10-script order and has opened a writers room, and Red Bird Line hail from HBO Max sister studio Warner Bros TV, where Rosenberg and Wells are under overall deals; Generation is being produced by HBO Max.
Written by Rosenberg and & Dana Baratta (Marvel’s Jessica Jones), The Rules of Magic is based on Alice Hoffman’s novels The Rules of Magic and Practical Magic, the latter of which was adapted into the 1998 Warner Bros movie of the same name starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
An epic generational family drama set in 1960s New York City, The Rules of Magic is a Practical Magic prequel which centers on three troubled siblings — Franny, Jet and Vincent Owens — who wrestle with “abnormalities” that have kept them isolated. But the tumultuous times unearth the extraordinary discovery that they are, in fact, descendants of a bloodline of witches. In their aspirational journey towards self-discovery and self-acceptance, they’ll contend with grief, war, bigotry and dark magic, not to mention a centuries-old curse designed to keep them away from love. The two sisters, Franny and Jet, will become the revered, and sometimes feared, aunts in Practical Magic, while their beloved brother Vincent will leave an unexpected legacy.
Rosenberg executive produces via her Tall Girls Productions, along with Dana Baratta; both also serve as showrunners. The 1998 film’s producer, Denise Di Novi, and Nina Tassler also executive produce for PatMa Productions, along with Hoffman.
