The A Word Gets Dutch Adaptation

Dutch public broadcaster EO has ordered a local adaptation of Keshet International’s The A Word.

Based on the Israeli family drama Yellow Peppers, the six-part adaptation will dramatize a family’s painful and often humorous journey of denial and introspection, after their young son is diagnosed with autism. Fiction Valley is producing the Dutch treatment, which is expected to premiere in the Netherlands this year on NPO1.

Known locally as Het A Woord and written by Karin van der Meer and Myranda Jongeling, the 6×50-minute series will be directed by Anna van der Heide (episodes one and two) and Remy van Heugten (episodes three through six) with Fiction Valley’s Annemieke van Vliet as executive producer.

It follows in the footsteps of Fifty Fathoms’ and Keshet Productions’ adaptation for BBC One, which has run for three series and sold in over 80 territories.

EO’s Arnoud Bruinier said, “Het A Woord touches on important themes—showing a family’s struggle in raising a special needs child—and does so entertainingly and with a lot of love. Fiction Valley has brought a strong team to the project and we are grateful for the trust that Keren Margalit has given us in bringing this universal story to our local audiences.”

Fiction Valley’s Annemieke van Vliet added, “It has been a joy developing and producing Keren Margalit’s fantastic drama for EO with our talented team of writers, cast and crew. As with previous adaptations, so many of them have brought their own personal experiences of autism to Het A Woord to help us create an authentic, heart-warming and genuinely moving family drama that is sure to connect with Dutch audiences.”

Keren Shahar, Keshet International’s COO and president of distribution, commented, “The A Word is one of our most enduring shows that has already engaged millions of viewers around the globe. Fiction Valley’s reimagining is a faithful homage to Keren Margalit’s original and we are so thrilled that it has found a home on NPO via EO.”