Tandem Preps Event Series Based on Follett Bestseller

MUNICH, April 2: Ken
Follett’s 1989 international bestseller The Pillars of the Earth has been optioned by Tandem Communications, which
is developing a limited-run series in conjunction with Ridley
Scott’s and Tony Scott’s production company, Scott Free Inc.

“Ken Follett’s
storytelling artistry presents a richness and brilliance we dream about when
searching for outstanding properties,” said Ridley Scott. “The scope and power
of the story and the richness of the characters inspires us to create the
highest quality television programming.”

“Tandem has been working
on acquiring the rights to The Pillars of the Earth for more than eight years,” added Rola Bauer,
Tandem’s managing director. “My partners and I absolutely love this book and
understand that only the medium of television can properly tell this amazingly
rich story full of drama, sensuality and pathos—it’s the material that
makes international television events successful. We’re also very proud to be
working again with the creative talent at Scott Free.”

Scott Free and Tandem
previously collaborated on the acclaimed TNT mini-series The Company.

The Pillars of the
Earth, an epic tale of good and evil,
treachery and intrigue, violence and beauty, is set against a backdrop of the
political turmoil of 12th century England. The novel has been translated into
30 languages and, to date, has sold more than 14 million copies worldwide. In
2007, The Pillars of the Earth
was named Oprah Winfrey’s 60th Book Club Selection; it is ranked 33rd on BBC’s
2003 ‘The Big Read’ as one of the top 100 books ever printed.

Ken Follett’s deal was
brokered by CAA. David Nochimson of Ziffren Law Firm brokered on behalf of Tandem
Communications and Scott Free Television.

—By Mansha Daswani