Netflix has ordered a new Kids & Family original series based on Tonke Dragt’s medieval adventure novel, The Letter for the King. This is the streaming service’s first Dutch book adaptation, though the coming-of-age series will be shot in English. UK-based FilmWave acquired the international television rights in a deal with Amsterdam-based publishing house Leopold. Will Davies (How to Train Your Dragon, Puss in Boots) will adapt for Netflix, together with Dutch producer Paul Trijbits (Saving Mr Banks, The Casual Vacancy) for FilmWave, which he co-owns with Christian Grass. Production on the series is set to start in the fall in New Zealand and Netflix will release globally.
The classic novel was originally published in 1962 and has been translated into 25 languages, including English in 2014 via Pushkin Press. The book’s story is set in a fantasy world of three kingdoms, and centers on 16-year-old squire Tiuri. When he answers a desperate call for help, he finds himself on a perilous mission that could cost him his life. He must deliver a secret letter to the King who lives across the Great Mountains. Tiuri must abandon his home, break all the rules and leave everything behind – even the knighthood he has dreamed of for so long. The future of the entire realm depends on the letter and Tiuri must trust no one and keep his true identity secret. Above all, he must never reveal what is in the letter.
Source:
https://deadline.com/2018/07/netflix-th ... 202425181/
Amir Wilson (The Secret Garden), Ruby Serkis and Nathanael Saleh, who plays John Banks in Mary Poppins Returns, lead the young cast of The Letter for the King, the coming-of-age drama series based on Tonke Dragt’s bestselling medieval adventure novel. The English-language series, the streaming service’s first Dutch book adaptation, just wrapped shooting in New Zealand and will be moving to Prague in early 2019.
The Letter for the King is set in a world full of adventure and intrigue, where no one wants to be a knight more than Tiuri (Wilson) who is tasked with delivering a top-secret letter on which the fate of the entire kingdom depends. On their journey, he and his young friends will discover just how much it takes to become a true knight, and just how much the broken adult world needs them to fix it.
Wilson’s Tiuri is a 15-year-old squire who answers a desperate call for help and finds himself on a perilous mission that could cost him his life. Serkis is Lavinia, who is charismatic and determined, adventurous and ahead of her time. Joins Tiuri on the adventure to deliver the letter. Saleh portrays Piak, a fearless and excitable young boy who couldn’t bear seeing his older brother go on an adventure while he missed out at home. They will be joined on their journey by the other Novices, played by Thaddea Graham as Iona, Islam Bouakkaz as Arman, Jack Barton as Foldo and Jonah Lees as Jussipo. Yorick van Wageningen (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) is King Favian, an elderly king who’s been playing the game for long enough but is the last to see what’s coming. With newcomer Gijs Blom as Prince Viridian and Jakob Oftebro (Lilyhammer) as Crown Prince Iridian. Rounding out the cast are Emilie Cocquerel (The New Legend of the Monkey) as Queen Alianor, Ken Nwosu (The Man) as Ristridin, Peter Ferdinando (Ghost in the Shell) as Jaro, Kemi-Bo Jacobs (McMafia) as Tiuri’s mother Darya, David Wilmot (The Guard) as Slupor, Tawfeek Barhom (The Looming Tower) as Jabroot and Omid Djalili as Sir Fantumar.
Will Davies (How To Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots) executive produces and serves as showrunner. Dutch producer Paul Trijbits (Saving Mr Banks) executive produces for FilmWave, which he co-owns with Christian Grass. Alex Holmes (Paula, Maiden) and Felix Thompson (King Jack) direct. Chris Clark (All The Money in the World) is series producer.
Source:
https://deadline.com/2018/12/netflix-ca ... 202518422/
