Rowling’s Adult Novel Going Small Screen on BBC

On Monday, the BBC announced that the first adult novel of British author J.K. Rowling, of Harry Potter fame, is going to be adapted for BBC One. While her books for a young readership were cast for the big screen and became one of the hottest franchises of all time, her book for grown-ups is slated for the small screen.

The series, which is to be aired from 2014, has been commissioned by BBC and BBC Drama for exclusive adaptation. Rowling is expected to collaborate on the project, though the degree of her involvement is still to be decided and would be agreed upon once the adaptation kicks off formally.

In a public statement, Rowling said, “I always felt that, if it were to be adapted, this novel was best suited to television and I think the BBC is the perfect home.” The controller of BBC One, Danny Cohen said the project “highlights the ambition and scale of BBC One Drama, as well as the ability of modern television to attract the world’s biggest talent and most exciting creative ideas.”

Rowling’s adult novel, “The Casual Vacancy” has topped the bestseller lists in many countries, though it has failed to gain the frenzied fan base of Harry Potter. Besides being written for adults, it also explores stereotypes, conceptions and misconceptions within the society.