Hera Pictures secures rights to adapt Quinn's The Whalebone Theatre for television

Hera Pictures has secured the rights to adapt Joanna Quinn’s historical fiction novel The Whalebone Theatre for television.

The Whalebone Theatre tells the story of an “unmarriageable girl” electing to defy convention and find her own path through life. It was published by Fig Tree in 2022.

Liza Marshall, Hera Pictures founder, said: "We fell in love with Jo’s gorgeous book from the moment it began – a family epic, a coming-of-age chronicle, a spy thriller and a tangled romance, The Whalebone Theatre is written with such warmth, poignancy and humour it’s no surprise that it is a global bestseller. Jo puts the changing role of women centre stage and her book is perfect for a television adaptation.”

Quinn added: “I am so excited by the thought of The Whalebone Theatre appearing on screen. Countless people who have read the book have told me they would love to see it as a TV series, and I am delighted that Hera Pictures has acquired the rights.”