Folktellers: Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook Series in the Works

Peter Mohan and Vanessa Shapiro have joined forces with author Josef Bastian to bring his young adult fantasy book series Folktellers: Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook to television.

The Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook series tells the story of teenager Aaron Anderson, whose world is turned upside down when he learns that his destiny is to become a Folkteller—a guardian and wielder of the stories that comprise the hopes, fears and potential of humanity across all dimensions. With a group of friends, Aaron finds himself on a mission to protect those stories from creatures whose goal is to snuff out all life and light, forced to overcome his lack of confidence and trust in himself along the way.

Mohan (Orphan Black, The Hardy Boys) will serve as executive producer and showrunner. Former Gaumont executive Shapiro (El Presidente) will also serve as executive producer and handle global distribution under her company, Nicely Entertainment. The pair will work together with Bastian and Scott Paskoff, who also serves as executive producer, to develop the eight-book story arc into a live-action series. The first season of the series will be based on the first three books: Phase of the Moon, Cave in the Rock and Shadows on the Silver Strings.

Josef Bastian said: “I’m thrilled to have gathered together this team of accomplished executives to bring Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook to the screen. The fantasy and folklore genres are extraordinarily popular because of their iconic characters, beautifully crafted worlds and imperfect protagonists that offer a compelling balance between imagination and reality. Our series will deliver action and adventure as our heroes travel from dimension to dimension trying to stop the Shadows from carrying out their destructive plans, and will deliver humor and romance with the complicated interactions of our characters as they try to deal with growing up, saving their worlds and staying alive at the same time.”

Vanessa Shapiro, CEO of Nicely Entertainment, said: “Nicely Entertainment is thrilled to be part of such an amazing franchise and book series and I look forward to working closely with Josef, Peter and Scott to bringing this IP to a global audience. The adventure and moral complexity of Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook offer a multi-generational appeal. Younger viewers will tune in for magic and adventure, while older teens and adults will be attracted to the complicated interplay between Aaron, his friends and family.”

Mohan added: “I’m excited by the possibilities of telling stories set in the Folktellers franchise. This fantastical world offers opportunities to explore exciting adventures, engrossing characters and important universal themes. I look forward to working with the dynamic team that’s been assembled to bring this project to air.”

Paskoff noted: “It’s exciting to be part of the Folktellers team as we solidify key relationships and expand into new entertainment markets. The Guidebook Series is an original and compelling IP that epitomizes a rapidly growing global entertainment franchise. The addition of Vanessa and Peter makes the team stronger, and I look forward to working closely with them.”