Boarding school series to be brought to life on TV and in new publishing.
Enid Blyton’s popular boarding school series Malory Towers is to be brought to life on TV and in new publishing.
Enid Blyton Entertainment has sold the TV adaptation rights for the series to King Bert Productions.
Jo Sargent at King Bert Productions acquired the rights from Karen Lawler, head of licensed content at Enid Blyton Entertainment, which is part of the Hachette Children’s Group.
The first Malory Towers book was published in 1946 and the series follows the protagonist Darrell Rivers on her adventures and experiences at boarding school on the Cornish coast.
“It’s fantastic to be continuing the expansion of the Enid Blyton brand in this way – King Bert really impressed us with their pitch and fought off some stiff competition,” said Karen. “It feels like the right moment for a story about strong women to be adapted for TV screens around the world. The Malory Towers girls were ‘women the world could lean on’ and we can’t wait to see how King Bert bring them to life on screen.”
In June 2019, HCG will reissue all 12 Malory Towers backlist titles with new covers by British illustrator, Pippa Curnick.
Alongside the relaunch of the stories, HCG will publish New Class at Malory Towers, featuring four new stories by some key writers – author of over 300 children’s books Narinder Dhami; YA Prize and Waterstones Book Prize-winner Patrice Lawrence; Guardian TV critic, Stylist columnist and author of Bookworm Lucy Mangan; and teacher and writer Rebecca Westcott.
All four stories will be set in the time and world of Enid Blyton’s original books, with familiar Malory Towers faces as well as new characters.
Alexandra Antscherl, editorial director at Enid Blyton Entertainment, commented: “I’m thrilled to be putting the spotlight on Malory Towers in 2019. It’s a perennial favourite for generations of readers.
“In New Class at Malory Towers, each writer has honoured Enid Blyton’s classic creation, while introducing a fascinating new character and bringing a welcome diversity to our favourite school. I know there will be great excitement about the TV, the new book and Pippa’s wonderful covers.”
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