Less than a week after it was confirmed that the rumoured Harry Potter TV series is set to become a reality, another cult-classic franchise could now be heading for a reboot.
If reports are to be believed, a TV series of the Twilight Saga is apparently “in the works”.
In case you missed it, after weeks of rumours and reports, streaming service HBO Max last week revealed that a reboot TV series based on what is arguably one of the most successful and best-loved literary and film franchises of all time, Harry Potter, is to officially hit screens – with author JK Rowling set to executive produce it.
Potterheads were excited to hear that the Harry Potter series could be on air for up to a decade, and will be a “faithful adaptation” of the books about the wizarding world, while keeping the original films “at the core” of the franchise.
And this is likely to be exactly what Twilight fans are hoping for as well, as it’s also been exclusively reported by The Hollywood Reporter this week that the massively-popular literary and film saga based on a series of books is the next to “get the television treatment”.
Undoubtedly one of the best-loved and highest-grossing Young Adult franchises of the 21st century, The Twilight Saga is a fantasy romance series made up of four novels published between 2005 and 2008.
The success of the books lead to five film adaptations released between 2008 and 2012.
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Just like Harry Potter, Twilight changed the life of author Stephanie Meyer, made household names out of its trio of leads, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, and developed a devoted fanbase along the way.
A Twilight TV series is said to be ‘in the works’ / Credit: Lionsgate / Summit Entertainment
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Twilight TV series is currently “in early development” via Lionsgate Television.
Screenwriter Sinead Daly, whose credits include Tell Me Lies, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Raised by Wolves, and more, is attached to write the script.
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It’s yet to be decided whether the series will be a remake of Meyer’s books or “a different offshoot”.
The series is said to be “in its infancy” and does not yet have a network or platform / Credit: Lionsgate / Summit Entertainment
The series is said to be “in its infancy” and does not yet have a network/platform, as sources say the studio – which controls the rights to the franchise – plans to lead the development on the project, before shopping the rights to the package.
At this point, there is no timeline for when the series will be taken out to potential buyers, and therefore appears to be a long way off from hitting screens.
Just like JK Rowling, sources say author Meyer is expected to be involved in the television adaptation.
Featured Image – Lionsgate
TV & Showbiz
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
TV & Showbiz
New BBC series based on bestselling book to film in Manchester with big-name actors
Emily Sergeant
A new BBC series based on a bestselling book is set to begin filming in Manchester.
The new series, titled You Are Here, is described as being an ‘honest, witty, and tender’ love story based on David Nicholls’ critically acclaimed novel of the same name – with the author having also written the eight-part adaptation set to be directed Lenny Abrahamson, who is best known for BBC‘s cult-classic miniseries Normal People, and the Oscar-nominated Room (2015).
Set along the Coast to Coast walking trail from the Lake District to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, You Are Here tells the story of Marnie and Michael.
When a mutual friend throws them together, Marnie and Michael unexpectedly find themselves setting off on an epic walk.
Against the odds, they end up on the brink of a relationship that neither was looking for, but might be exactly what they both need.
Treading the tricky path from loneliness to love, Marnie and Michael go coast-to-coast across the stunning English countryside, navigating an undeniable attraction along the way that is just as exhilarating as it is terrifying.
📚 Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen lead the cast of You Are Here, adapted from David Nicholls' best-selling novel
Producers say the series is about finding a connection when you least expect it and overcoming the obstacles of midlife.
Set to be filmed across Manchester and the Lake District, it has been announced that respected actors Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen will take on the lead roles of Marnie and Michael.
“I’m so delighted to be working on You Are Here with Element, the BBC, Starz, and Lenny, whose work I’ve admired for many years,” commented David Nicholls.
“And Matthew and Claire are both just dream casting, wonderful in comedy and drama, so detailed and thoughtful and sympathetic.
“The intention with the novel was to write a close-up study of a relationship, but set against this magnificent landscape, and that’s our ambition here too – to make something both intimate and epic, funny and dramatic, a romantic comedy with real emotion.
“We can’t wait to bring Marnie and Michael’s journey to the screen.”
Featured Image – Juankr and Josh Wool (via BBC Press Office)
Emily Sergeant -
20th April 2023 
