Paramount Television and Anonymous Content have optioned the rights to 11 books from acclaimed author Anne Rice's best-selling series, THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES. Christopher Rice, four-time New York Times Bestselling® author and recipient of the Lambda Literary Award, will pen the series and serve as executive producer alongside Anne Rice, and Anonymous Content's David Kanter and Steve Golin.
"It is undeniable that Anne Rice has created the paradigm against which all vampire stories are measured. The rich and vast world she has created with 'The Vampire Chronicles' is unmatched and sophisticated with 90's gothic undertones that will be perfectly suited to captivate audiences," said Amy Powell, President, Paramount TV. "The series is full of compelling characters led by Lestat, arguably one of the greatest original characters, literary or otherwise. We are thrilled to collaborate with Anne, Christopher and the team at Anonymous Content on this epic series."
"Together with our partners at Paramount Television, we are embarking on a fantastic journey with Anne and Christopher Rice to bring Anne's unparalleled imagination to television at the moment when the medium is experiencing a global apex in the demand for the most outstanding, exciting and heightened premium dramatic programming", says Anonymous Content's David Kanter. "'The Vampire Chronicles,' in its entirety, is not only a phenomenally complex universe of story-telling, it is also a world-wide readership whose connections to the books and their author are deep and abiding. It is a tremendous responsibility to help bring the books to television, and we are thrilled to have this opportunity."
"I'm thrilled beyond words to be working with Paramount TV and Anonymous Content --known for extraordinary cutting edge series such as "True Detective," "Quarry," and "The Knick," said Anne Rice. "In this unique golden age of television, I couldn't ask for a finer or more passionate team to help bring my beloved vampire hero, Lestat, alive in a series of the highest quality. This is a dream come true, both for me and for Christopher and for the fans who have been asking to see the Brat Prince in this medium for years."Christopher Rice added, "The first great day for me on this project was when my mother asked me to partner with her on it. The second, is the announcement of this thrilling partnership with Paramount Television and Anonymous Content. For decades now fans of 'The Vampire Chronicles' have been clamoring for a long-form television adaptation of this galaxy of content. Just a glance at the libraries of these two innovative, groundbreaking companies makes clear why they're perfectly suited to granting this wish. Add to that their passion and enthusiasm for the long term vision Mom and I share for this series, and we're confident this exciting deal will result in many excellent things for Lestat in the universe of television."
Anne Rice is a New York Times Bestselling® author of over 30 novels. Her first novel "Interview with the Vampire" was published in 1976 and has become one of bestselling novels worldwide and was the basis for the internationally acclaimed 1994 motion picture, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas.
"The Vampire Chronicles" is the latest project in the continued partnership between Paramount TV and Anonymous Content, which have a first-look production deal for scripted television programming across broadcast, premium cable, cable and online audiences. The competitive deal was negotiated by David Goldman and Erika Kirkwood for Paramount TV, and Creative Artists Agency and Christine Cuddy of Kleinberg Lange Cuddy & Carlo LLP on behalf of Anne and Christopher Rice.
Previously announced projects from Paramount TV and Anonymous Content include "Berlin Station," a 10-part series airing on EPIX and now in production on its second season; "13 Reasons Why," streaming now on Netflix, based on the New York Times bestselling YA book by Jay Asher, directed by Oscar® winner Tom McCarthy and written by Pulitzer Prize® winner Brian Yorkey who executive produced along with Selena Gomez and McCarthy; "Maniac," a 10-episode, straight-to-series to be directed by Cary Fukunaga starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, ordered by Netflix; a drama series based on Caleb Carr's "The Alienist" for TNT, based on the best-selling novel from Caleb Carr, directed and executive produced by BAFTA-nominated director Jakob Verbruggen along with executive producers Emmy Award® winner Cary Fukunaga, Academy Award® winner Eric Roth, Academy Award® nominee Hossein Amini and Anonymous Content's Steve Golin and Rosalie Swedlin; "Spoonbenders" based on Daryl Gregory's highly anticipated novel; a series based on New York Times Bestselling book from Rebecca Traister, "All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation;" a series based on 9 year-old journalist and budding author Hilde Lysiak's book series "Hilde Cracks the Case;" "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: and Other Lessons from the Crematory," adapted and executive produced by "Nurse Jackie" co-creator, Evan Dunsky, based on Caitlin Doughty's New York Times Best-Selling memoir; "The Windfall" based on Diksha Basu's highly anticipated debut novel with Indian filmmaker Shonali Bose (Margarita With A Straw) attached to write and direct the pilot; and "The Silent Corner," based on the highly-anticipated novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.
Photo credit: Cathryn Farnsworth and Nicholas Latimer
