Perks' lost child thriller optioned for TV

Heidi Perks’ psychological suspense novel has been optioned for television by the production company responsible for “The Miniaturist”.

The Forge Entertainment has optioned TV rights to Now You See Her, which will be published by Century on 26th July 2018.

The London-based production company, set up by George Faber in 2016, acquired TV rights for the thriller from Jonathan Sissons at Peters Fraser and Dunlop on behalf of Nelle Andrew.

The Forge produced the compelling 4-part serial drama “National Treasure” for Channel 4/Hulu as well as “The Miniaturist” (Picador), based on Jessie Burton’s bestselling debut, recently broadcast on BBC1.

Now You See Her was snapped up by Century in a pre-empt last summer. It explores “what happens when you are responsible for your best friend's worst nightmare” as central character Charlotte loses Harriet’s four-year-old.

It has drawn comparisons with The Couple Next Door (Transworld) and I Let You Go (Little, Brown), according to a PFD spokesperson, and asks “to what lengths will a parent go to protect their child, even if it means betraying those closest to them”.

Perks worked as a marketing director for a financial company before leaving to become a full-time mother and writer. She is also an alumna of the Curtis Brown Novel Writing course.

She said: “I am thrilled that Now You See Her has been optioned for TV by The Forge. I'm a great fan of their productions and very excited with their vision for adapting my book for TV.”

Faber, now m.d. of The Forge, said: “Heidi has written an electrifying thriller with a powerful female friendship at its heart. It kept us hooked till the last page with its startling twists and turns and we are delighted to be involved in bringing this tense and compelling novel to the screen.”

Century will publish in hardback in July 2018 and in Arrow paperback in spring 2019.