CBC, Netflix Align for Margaret Atwood Adaptation

TORONTO: Margaret Atwood’s award-winning novel Alias Grace is being turned into a six-hour miniseries by Noreen Halpern’s Halfire Entertainment for CBC and Netflix.

The miniseries is being written and produced by Sarah Polley and directed by Mary Harron. Production begins in Ontario this August for CBC in Canada and Netflix globally. It is inspired by the true story of Grace Marks, a domestic servant who, together with James McDermott, was convicted of the brutal murder of their employer, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, in 1843. Sentenced to life in prison, she was exonerated after 30 years in jail.

“Sarah Polley wrote a stunning six-hour script based on Margaret Atwood’s award-winning novel, and we are thrilled that CBC and Netflix have joined forces to co-commission this miniseries,” said Noreen Halpern, president of Halfire Entertainment.

“I first read Alias Grace when I was 17 years old and throughout the last 20 years I have read it over and over, trying to get to the bottom of it,” said Polley. “Grace Marks, as captured by Margaret Atwood, is the most complex, riveting character I have ever read. I’m thrilled that Mary Harron has taken the project on. I know that her ability to create suspense, tension, and delve into the dark, unknowable aspects of her characters will bring this piece alive. I can’t wait for us to bring the many versions of Grace’s gripping story, and the questions they raise, to television audiences.”

“We’re beyond thrilled to collaborate with this amazingly talented team of Canadian women to bring Sarah Polley’s stunning script to Canadian audiences,” said Sally Catto, general manager of programming at CBC Television. “This important work tells the story of a complex woman, and I can’t imagine a more exceptional team to bring Margaret Atwood’s novel to the screen.”

“The opportunity to be involved with Alias Grace and world-class storytellers was an opportunity we could not pass up,” said Elizabeth Bradley, Netflix’s VP of content. “We are looking forward to working with our partners at Halfire Entertainment and CBC to bring this compelling miniseries to our worldwide audience.”