EXCLUSIVE: Synchronicity Movies is adapting Hanif Kureishi’s The Physique as a sequence with the novelist and screenwriter on board as an exec producer and Emmy-nominated director Paul McGuigan hooked up. There are scripts from crime author Robert Murphy and the producers will relocate the motion from the UK to the U.S. for the sequence.
Scottish-based drama producer Synchronicity is engaged on the Kureishi undertaking within the wake of creating The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which has launched strongly within the UK, the U.S. and internationally
The guide and sequence had been impressed by the reminiscences of Jewish Slovakian Holocaust survivor Lali Sokolov, and observe a love story between him and Gita. The couple met whereas they had been prisoners in Auschwitz. The TV drama is predicated on Heather Morris’ novel, which has returned to the New York Occasions and Sunday Occasions bestseller lists for the reason that launch of the sequence.
Claire Mundell-founded indie Synchronicity made the present in affiliation with Sky Studios for Sky, Peacock and Stan, with All3Media and NBCUniversal promoting it internationally. Israeli director Tali Shalom-Ezer directed all six episodes.
Worldwide Reception & Harvey Keitel
The primary episode of the sequence received two million viewers on Sky after 28 days, making it the Sky Atlantic channel’s greatest launch since Gangs of London in 2020 and Sky’s greatest drama launch general for 2 years.
It has fared properly internationally. On Paramount and Comcast streaming platform SkyShowtime in Poland it has been the all time performing sequence premiere. On Stan in Australia, it was the most-watched drama by launch week.
It has additionally landed properly within the U.S. the place it’s a world unique for Peacock. Its different worldwide originals embody Matthew Fox and Joanne Froggatt-starrer Final Mild, and cybersecurity drama The Undeclared Warfare with Simon Pegg, however The Tattooist of Auschwitz has proved its greatest worldwide unique but.
“It’s wonderful to see the story being acquired in the best way that it has been as a result of I believe there’s an assumption, usually, that viewers can’t take robust materials, that it is perhaps too arduous, too upsetting, nevertheless it’s the emotion that pulls audiences by to the top,” Mundell instructed Deadline.
The forged for the sequence contains Harvey Keitel, Emmy-winning Melanie Lynskey and breakout star Jonah Hauer-King. Talking about Keitel’s efficiency because the older Lali Sokolov, Mundell mentioned: “If you consider the profession Harvey has had it could seem to be an outlandish factor to say, however I really feel his efficiency as Lali Sokolov on this piece is profession defining.”
By way of getting large multi-million greenback drama up and working, the percentages don’t favor a small indie based mostly in Glasgow, Scotland – particularly one that isn’t a part of one of many giant European tremendous teams.
“I’m actually motivated by issues that appear not possible,” mentioned Mundell, who based her indie in 2006. “I’ve loved being the underdog within the huge panorama of worldwide drama, as a result of it’s like, that’s nice, I’ve the aspect of shock.”
Synchronicity landed the rights to The Tattooist of Auschwitz days earlier than it was revealed within the U.S., earlier than then attaching Keitel and getting an unique tune from Barbra Streisand.
‘The Physique’ Components Come Collectively
One other literary adaptation within the works is The Physique and Synchronicity has received scripts and a director.
Scottish crime author Robert Murphy has penned the scripts, which relocate the motion from London within the guide to Sacramento within the sequence. His TV credit embody Vera, Shetland and DCI Banks. Paul McGuigan will direct. His credit embody UK dramas Dracula and Sherlock and U.S. exhibits Scandal, Designated Survivor and Luke Cage.
Mundell will likely be lead exec producer alongside different EPs McGuigan, Murphy and The Physique writer Kureishi. His novella was initially revealed in 2003 as a part of a set of tales. It hinges upon tech that permits individuals to commerce their our bodies for youthful, fitter, options, though not at all times with the specified penalties. Synchronicity is pitching The Physique as a returnable drama about what it means to be human.
Kureishi has been chronicling the impression of a 2022 accident that left him with life-changing accidents. He continues to work, nevertheless, most lately on a brand new stage adaptation of his novel The Buddha of Suburbia.
Talking concerning the adaptation of his story, he mentioned: “I’m thrilled with this daring and entertaining display screen adaptation of The Physique and impressed with the way it breathes recent life into the unique story, while on the identical time retaining the essence of the central, common questions in my unique novella.”
As Synchronicity takes the undertaking to market, with Murphy’s scripts and McGuigan and Kureishi on board, and The Tattooist Of Auschwitz resonates with critics and viewers, Mundell is plotting the following stage for her indie: “From this level ahead is the second the place I believe it’s time for us to develop to the following degree, and I believe we most likely do want some degree of partnership to try this.”
