TV rights to Shemilt’s How Far We Fall snapped up by Twelve Town

Jane Shemilt’s third novel, How Far We Fall (Michael Joseph), has been snapped up for development as a TV drama by production company Twelve Town.

Twelve Town, the makers behind the adaptation of Ian McEwan’s A Child in Time, optioned the book in a deal negotiated by Kate Prentice at 42, on behalf of Shemilt’s agent, Eve White of the Eve White Literary Agency.

Due to publish on 28th June, How Far We Fall follows a talented young neurosurgeon, Albie, recently married to the ambitious and vengeful Beth, whose past affair with Albie’s boss puts the marriage at risk. She’ll do everything to keep her Albie’s career and her secret safe. But how far will the fall take them?

Shemilt, whose debut Daughter was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club in 2014, called it "a huge honour" for her book to be considered for adaptation.

"I am thrilled that Twelve Town has optioned How Far We Fall for a television drama; it's a huge honour that this brilliant and creative production company has chosen my book for development. I was spellbound by their production of Ian McEwan’s A Child in Time. I feel very lucky that my book is in their creative hands," she said.

White said the author had "cleverly woven a tense thriller full of ambition, revenge, and guilt", adding: "I can’t wait to see how this gripping story is adapted for the screen."