HBO is developing a limited series on “The Birds” with Sarah Snook in the lead role, Variety confirmed.
The show is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film and Daphne du Maurier’s short story of the same name. The package was first announced to the market over the summer, with the project now landing at HBO.
The official logline states:
“Escaping a bitter custody battle, Myra Massey (Snook) returns home with her young daughter, secretly investigating the suspicious disappearance of a childhood friend. With a killer on the loose and growing personal threats, Myra fights to protect her daughter from a terrifying new threat: vicious and deadly bird attacks inexplicably linked to the crime.”
Tom Spezialy wrote the pilot and will serve as executive producer. David Heyman and Danny Samit also serve as executive producers for Heyday Television. Snook will serve as executive producer in addition to starring, with Jennifer Gabler Rawlings also serving as executive producer. HBO will co-produce with Universal Global Television, with rights to “The Birds” controlled by Universal Pictures and the du Maurier estate.
Du Maurier’s original story was first published in 1952, and Hitchcock’s film version was released in 1963. The film has proven to be a milestone in the horror genre in the years since its release.
The role brings Snook back to HBO, where she starred in the premium cabler’s hit series “Succession” for four seasons. She received three Emmy Award nominations, including one win, for her work on the series, as well as two Golden Globe Awards. It also keeps her in business with Universal, as she recently starred in the Peacock series “All Her Fault,” for which she also received an Emmy nomination.
Spezialy is no stranger to HBO himself, having previously worked on “Watchmen” and “The Leftovers” at the network. Heyman, meanwhile, is currently an executive producer on HBO’s highly anticipated “Harry Potter” series, the first season of which debuts this Christmas.
Snook is repped by UTA, Omni Artists, Shanahan Management and Hansen Jacobson Teller. Spezialy is repped by WME, Management and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Heyday Television is taken over by WME and Goodman Genow.
Deadline was first to report news of the development.
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