Eleventh Hour to Bring Alex Rider Novels to TV

Eleventh Hour Films has optioned the screen rights to Anthony Horowitz’s international best-selling Alex Rider novels, which follow the adventures of a reluctant teenage superspy on his missions to save the world.

The TV adaptation will be penned by BAFTA Award-winning screenwriter Guy Burt (Bletchley Circle, The Borgias, The Hole). Each season will cover one book, starting with Point Blanc. The book series has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide in the English language alone, with the books also published in a further 28 languages.

Horowitz’s tenth Alex Rider novel, Never Say Die, hits shelves today. Eleventh Hour is currently developing the idea with ITV and is also in discussion with a number of international partners.

Burt commented: “I’ve been a big fan of Anthony’s books for years and their combination of adrenaline-fueled plot lines, cool characters and coming-of-age story make them superb material for adaptation. The dangers are genuine, the themes topical and the long-form television format gives me license to go deeper into the world of Alex and the characters that surround him.”

Horowitz added: “I’m thrilled that work on a television adaptation of Alex Rider has coincided so perfectly with the release the new novel, Never Say Die. Guy is cleverly expanding the characters whilst staying true to the spirit of the original novels to ensure that the series will appeal to both loyal fans and a new generation of viewers.”

Eve Gutierrez, Eleventh Hour’s executive producer, added: “Reversioning such a successful set of novels for TV is no small feat but with audiences looking for bigger and bolder dramas that provide true cinematic experiences, this feels like the perfect moment for the brand.”