Lionsgate eyes The People at Number 9 for TV

Felicity Everett’s novel about adultery, envy and betrayal among London neighbours, The People at Number 9, has been commissioned for development as a multi-part television series by Lionsgate UK.

Published in hardback on 6th April by HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins, The People at Number 9 takes a wry look at two families who find themselves sharing takeaway suppers, childcare and then rather more as they become increasingly involved in each other’s lives. The paperback is due to be published on August 24th this year.

It is one of the first commissions by creative director Steve November since he joined Lionsgate last year from ITV, where he was head of drama. During his time at ITV, November was responsible for the ITV drama slate, including "Downton Abbey", "Broadchurch", and "Doc Martin", along with recent commissions of "The Durrells", "Victoria", "Maigret" and the return of "Cold Feet".   

The deals were negotiated for Lionsgate by Alexandra Keen, executive vice president, business and legal affairs, and Rachael Elliott, senior legal counsel, with Emily Hayward Whitlock at the Artists Partnership in association with Sally Anne Sweeney at MMB Creative.

November said: “Felicity’s novel is a brilliantly incisive and acerbic view of families and friendships, vanities and vulnerabilities; the smallest actions have the biggest consequences for these real, recognisable, flawed people and we are delighted to be adapting The People at Number for television.”

Everett said: “I am so excited that The People at Number 9 is to be brought to life by Lionsgate. From the moment it’s published, a book belongs to its readers as much as its author and their take is always fascinating, so to see this story told in a whole new format, interpreted by a team with such a brilliant track record will be like being inside the head of a reader who is enjoying your book, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.”

Kate Mills, publishing director at HQ, said: “From page one of The People at Number 9, when Sara eyes her new neighbours across the street, I felt I knew these characters personally and I was sure that readers would recognise and respond to them too. This is a universal tale of our times, a look at the lines that get crossed in friendships and marriages, the fallings-out that go on in every road, wherever you live. It’s been terrific seeing the book embraced by readers and reviewers and I’m delighted that viewers will now get to meet the new neighbours as well.”