Amazon MGM Orders Pilot Based On ‘Charlie Bone’ Fantasy Novels: Joseph Fiennes, Carmen Ejogo, Emma Sidi, Brazilian Singer Giulia Be & Newcomer Cory McClane Star In 42 Production Underway In UK

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon MGM Studios has ordered a pilot based on the Charlie Bone children’s/YA fantasy novels.

The eight fantasy novels in the popular series were written by British author Jenny Nimmo and published between 2002-2010. The franchise also includes a prequel trilogy and two follow up books.

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Filming is underway on location in the UK on the pilot, which stars Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale), Carmen Ejogo (The Penguin), Emma Sidi (Starstruck), Orlando Norman (Wreck), Beth Alsbury (Blindspot), Lewis Brophy (The Virtues), Brazilian singer and actress Giulia Be (Beyond The Universe), Olivia-Mai Barrett (Invasion), Fisayo Akinade (Hearstopper), and newcomer Cory McClane in the Charlie Bone role.

Currently untitled, the ensemble pilot heralds from UK-US production and management firm 42.

The adaptation follows Charlie Bone, a kid who has always been labeled a ‘problem’. He’s been expelled from every school in London. But he can’t help it – his brain just doesn’t work like other people’s. He has been haunted by ‘The Noise’ ever since his dad mysteriously died. His last chance comes when he’s sent to Bloor’s Academy, a school for challenging teenagers. Here, the pioneering principal, Dr. Bloor (Fiennes), sees things differently – he is convinced that what others see as flaws are, in fact, undiagnosed gifts, a kind of superpower, even. Bone must negotiate friendships, crushes, hormones, family dramas and most perilously, a dangerous conspiracy at the heart of the establishment.

We hear the pilot is aged-up from the books and will sit in the YA genre.

EPs are Rory Aitken and Eleanor Moran for 42. Writer-EP is Max Gill. Director and EP is Toby MacDonald, while Co-EP is Miriam Brent. Roopesh Parekh (Willow) produces.

42 is known for series including The Girl Before, The English Game and the Watership Down reboot as well as movies Military Wives and The Courier.

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