Terry Pratchett is one of the most legendary writers in sci-fi, thanks in no small part to his expansive “Discworld” series of novels. And though BBC America got the jump on adapting part of that universe for an upcoming series, “The Watch,” it appears that studios have now made a deal to make sure that other parts of the sci-fi universe come to life.
READ MORE: ‘Hellraiser’ Series Comes To HBO; David Gordon Green Will Direct Early Episodes
According to Deadline, Narrativia (Pratchett’s production company) has teamed with Endeavor Content and producer Motive Pictures to help develop new projects based on the “Discworld” series of novels. The books began in 1983 and ran until 2015 (unfortunately, Pratchett passed away that year), covering dozens of stories set in the fictional place known as Discworld, a flat world that is positioned on the backs of four elephants, who are all standing atop a giant turtle. Yes, it’s a bit silly. And yes, that’s exactly what Pratchett was known for.
Rhianna Pratchett, Co-Director of Narrativia, said, “‘Discworld’ teems with unique characters, witty narrative and incredible literary tropes, and we feel these should be realized on screen in a form that my father would be proud of. It’s wonderful to embark on this journey with Motive and Endeavor Content, who both perfectly share our vision to make this a reality.”
“‘Discworld’ is a national treasure and we are thrilled to be forging this new partnership with Narrativia and Endeavor Content,” Simon Maxwell, CEO of Motive Pictures added. “Together we will produce shows that will be loved by millions of ‘Discworld’ fans worldwide, whilst also opening up Sir Terry Pratchett’s epic creations and legacy to new audiences. We launched Motive to make high-quality British shows with global scale and impact and I can think of nothing that exemplifies that ambition more than this hugely exciting partnership.”
As mentioned, BBC America is already set to release the first “Discworld” adaptation, a new series titled “The Watch.” Here’s the synopsis for “The Watch” (via BBC America):
“Set in a fictional city where crime has been legalized, The Watch is a genre-busting series that follows a group of misfit cops as they rise up from decades of helplessness to save their corrupt city from catastrophe. Uniquely anarchic and thrillingly entertaining, the character-driven drama follows several of Terry Pratchett’s best-loved creations from his “Discworld” novels on a riotous and emotional odyssey.”
There’s no official release date set for “The Watch” but the show is expected sometime this year. As for the rest of the “Discworld” expansion, dates are unknown.