Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children Being Adapted as a Netflix Original

Netflix has ordered a new original series based on Midnight’s Children, Sir Salman Rushdie’s 1981 seminal work of fiction.

The novel was the recipient of the 1981 Booker Prize, the Best of the Booker in both 1993 and 2008, and the James Tait Memorial Prize. Midnight’s Children follows the life of Saleem Sinai, born on the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the time of India’s independence. He has telepathic powers linking him with India’s 1,000 other “midnight’s children,” all born in that initial hour and endowed with magical gifts.

Erik Barmack, VP of international originals at Netflix, said, “Midnight’s Children is one of the great novels of the world, and its themes are still relevant to the India of today. The narrative continues to fascinate audiences decades after it was first published. We are incredibly excited to translate this pioneering work of fiction that parallels the birth of modern India, for a global audience. The rich experience and talent of Indian creators combined with the global reach of Netflix, have the potential for millions of more people around the world to rediscover this story.”