Hallett’s The Twyford Code to be made into TV series

Janice Hallett’s second novel, The Twyford Code (Viper Books), is to be made into a TV series with Hallett adapting the novel for the screen herself.

Entertainment One (eOne) has acquired the rights. Bafta-winning film and television writer, director and producer Paul Andrew Williams will work on the project alongside Cameron Roach’s company, Rope Ladder. Williams will direct the series and eOne will handle global rights.

Hallett said: “I’m more than overjoyed to be working with Cameron and Sharon [Hughff] as well as hugely talented director Paul Andrew Williams. They are my absolute dream team and I can’t wait to mine their creativity and expertise. The story is a thrilling adventure with a huge heart, about finding treasure in whatever life throws at you.”

Hughff, eOne’s creative director of scripted television in the UK, added: “Janice Hallett’s ingenious second novel has rightly gained a fanbase of epic proportions. We are thrilled that she has chosen to bring the book to eOne and our partner from Rope Ladder fiction, Cameron Roach. We are also delighted that Janice will adapt the novel herself.”

Roach said: “I was introduced to Janice’s brilliant imagination through a writer-mentor scheme whilst at Sky TV. Her capacity for intriguing plotting and enticing characters is wholly original. To be working with Janice, Paul and the team at Entertainment One on this adaptation is not only an exciting adventure but goes to the heart of why we established Rope Ladder Fiction—supporting writers from grass roots as they evolve to emerge as world-class storytellers.”

The Twyford Code is told, found-footage style, via transcriptions of recordings made by a former prisoner determined to discover what happened to his teacher. Miss Iles vanished on a school trip in 1983 after becoming convinced there were hidden codes in the work of a disgraced children’s author.