Made Up Stories & Simon Baker Team for Lioness Adaptation

Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories has partnered with director, writer and actor Simon Baker (Breath, Boy Swallows Universe) and producer and agent Lee-Anne Higgins to adapt the novel Lioness.

The book from Emily Perkins centers on Therese Thorne, a woman who married a wealthy older man and built a successful career but is now facing a fraud investigation and an irresistible pull to her neighbor Claire, who offers a new wild and risky approach to womanhood. Baker will direct all episodes of the adaptation.

Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Katie Amos will produce the adaptation for Made Up Stories, along with Higgins, Baker and Perkins.

“It always starts with a unique voice that compels us to want to bring a great story to screen, and when we first read Emily’s book, we knew immediately this was for us,” Higgins and Made Up Stories said. “We are excited to collaborate with truly original creatives in Emily and Simon in adapting this intoxicating book for the screen.”

Perkins commented, “I’m thrilled that Lioness has been taken on by such strong creative forces as Bruna Papandrea, Lee-Anne Higgins and Simon Baker. It’s great to know they’ve connected with Therese’s story, and I can’t wait to see how they explore it for the screen.”

“A beautiful, witty and searingly honest look at the dichotomy of aspiration and authentic identity in our time,” noted Baker. “Emily Perkins truly understands the complexity of people and has written characters so rich and engaging that I’m thrilled to be a part of seeing them come to life on the screen.”