The global producer and distributor Fremantle has announced that internationally acclaimed and award-winning Australian director Justin Kurzel and award-winning screen writer Shaun Grant will bring to life the screen adaption of Richard Flanagan’s novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
Fremantle’s director of scripted Jo Porter will produce the landmark limited series.
Shaun Grant
Justin Kurzel and Shaun Grant have forged a formidable presence both locally and on the global screen landscape. Grant received the prestigious AACTA award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his chilling debut feature film Snowtown and Kurzel received the AACTA award for best direction for the film. They also collaborated on the upcoming feature True History of the Kelly Gang which debuted at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival to critical praise again – wins so far include the AWG for Grant’s screenplay.
Grant’s writing credits also include the films Berlin Syndrome and Jasper Jones, both for which he received AACTA nominations, David Fincher’s acclaimed Netflix series Mindhunter and the forthcoming feature Penguin Blooms tarring Naomi Watts. Kurzel’s director credits include the films Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard for which he was nominated for a Palme d’Or, and Assassin’s Creed. He is currently in production on the television adaption of Shantaram for Apple.
Fremantle, Asia Pacific, CEO, Chris Oliver-Taylor and Fremantle’s Director of Scripted, Jo Porter said: “Richard Flanagan’s novel has been hailed as a masterpiece around the world. It had an immensely powerful impact on readers in Australia and was a bestseller globally. We needed a screenwriter and a director creatively at the top of their game to bring this tragic, heroic and remarkable story to the screen. Justin and Shaun are audacious, bold and share our passion for this project. We are thrilled to announce they will be working with us to realise our ambitions for the series.”
Casting and further details about production will be released later. The Fremantle production team will include Chris Oliver Taylor, Jo Porter, Amy Noble and Nat Lindwall.
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Top photo: Australian director Justin Kurzel