Fellowes' Mitford Murder series snapped up for television

Jessica Fellowes’ Mitford Murders series, published by Sphere, has been optioned for television by Endor Productions. 

Former rights director at Little, Brown Andy Hines and head of media development at Hachette Fern McCauley brokered the deal, with Fellowes represented by Eugenie Furniss at 42. Little, Brown holds all rights in the series. Red Arrow Studios International will handle the television rights.

The Mitford Secrets, the sixth and final book in the series, will be published in November 2022. While following the fortunes of the real Mitford family over three decades, each instalment in the series also focused on one of the six Mitford sisters, fusing their lives with crime fiction stories inspired by real events. The television adaption will see Sherry Marsh, whose credits include "Vikings" and "Pose", as executive producer with Bafta-nominated screenwriter Helen Black to adapt the books for the screen. 

"I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to adapt Jessica’s work for television," said Black. "I know these well-loved characters are going to excite and entertain everyone who meets them". 

Carlo Dusi, managing director of Endor Productions and an executive producer on the adaptation, said: "From the moment we first came across Jessica Fellowes’ wonderful series of novels, we knew that here was a very special mix of ingredients crying out for a television adaptation: from the energy and relatability of our heroine Louisa Cannon to the eccentric, intoxicating world of the Mitfords in post-First World War Britain and the compelling re-imagining of a real-life murder mystery.  We are excited to turn Jessica’s brilliant vision into unmissable television for the international market.”   

Marsh said: "I can’t wait for us to introduce the world to the Mitford Family and their sleuthing nursemaid, Louisa Cannon. What excites me most about The Mitford Murders is that it’s a story that will resonate with a global audience, examining the upper echelon of British society in the 1920s through the eyes of someone just like us.”

Rodrigo Herrera Ibarguengoytia, vice-president of scripted acquisitions and co-productions at Red Arrow Studios International, said: “We were immediately drawn to Jessica Fellowes’ fun take on these famed characters and her witty perspective on the dynamics of class. We are sure it will translate into a highly entertaining TV whodunit that will interest broadcasters and viewers around the world.”