Eleven & Sony Television to Adapt Kane and Abel

Sony Television International and Sex Education producer Eleven have teamed to adapt Jeffrey Archer’s Kane and Abel trilogy as a TV series.

The trilogy tells the story of two men born on the same day on opposite sides of the world. One is Polish and the illegitimate son of a Baron, while the other is rich and privileged from a Boston banking family. Their paths cross only once in their pursuit of wealth, but that one meeting leads them on a 60-year journey of revenge, committed to destroying each other’s lives.

It is only when Abel’s strong-willed daughter meets Kane’s son that the two enemies start to understand that their feud comes at great personal cost.

The Kane and Abel adaptation is being written by Sarah Quintrell (The Power, His Dark Materials). It is being executive produced by Joel Wilson and Jamie Campbell for Eleven and James Baker and James Archer for The Jeffrey Archer Company. Sony Pictures Television will handle international rights.

“I am thrilled to be working with Sony, Joel, the Eleven Productions team and Sarah to reimagine the Kane and Abel trilogy for a new TV series,” Archer said.

“It’s exciting to be adapting Jeffrey’s epic and extraordinary Kane and Abel trilogy,” Quintrell commented. “The big themes of power, privilege, pride, love and loss—exploring what man does to man and the ramifications of our behavior across generations—feel incredibly timely. The bold storytelling and wonderful twists and hooks meant I couldn’t put the novels down. It’s a writer’s dream to adapt such a rollercoaster ride, especially alongside Joel, Sophie and the brilliant team at Eleven.”

Wilson added, “Sarah is the most wonderful writer. The combination of Sarah and Jeffrey’s incredibly compelling trilogy is a deeply fascinating one, and I can’t wait to find a broadcaster who shares our vision for the long-running series we have in mind.”