TMG to Co-Produce The Name of the Rose TV Adaptation

Tele München Group (TMG) has come on board the €26 million TV adaptation of Umberto Eco’s worldwide best seller The Name of the Rose.

The suspense-filled crime thriller, set in the Middle Ages, was first published in 1980. It was adapted as a feature film with Sean Connery and Christian Slater in 1986. The principal cast of the series adaptation is led by John Turturro and Rupert Everett. The show is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2019.

TMG is working with 11 Marzo, Palomar and in association with RAI Fiction on the eight-part series. TMG will handle all worldwide distribution rights outside Italy.

Herbert L. Kloiber, the managing director of TMG, said: “Umberto Eco’s novel The Name of the Rose is a monumental masterpiece. We are thrilled to be part of this high class, state-of-the-art adaptation, which will also resonate well with a young audience that loves the suspenseful story in a gloomy and thrilling medieval setting. Those who are already familiar with the book will see a new modern take and details to this multilayered story that can only be told in a series.”

Dr. Herbert G. Kloiber, founder and managing director of TMG, added: “We are more than happy to work with 11 Marzo, Palomar and RAI on the screen adaptation of another world best seller. We have come full circle with the continuation of [our] long-term partnership with 11 Marzo. 40 years ago, I worked together with Roberto Levi on the adaptation of Stendhal’s The Charterhouse of Parma; now Roberto’s son Matteo has originated this wonderful project.”

Matteo Levi, the president of 11 Marzo, commented: “I worked many years with Andrea Porporati, successful screenwriter and director, and he firstly proposed me to do a TV adaptation of The Name of the Rose. It was wonderful working with Umberto Eco; the first step developing this project will certainly remain as one of the highest points of my career. The commitment of such an extraordinary pool of producers such as 11 Marzo, Palomar, RAI and TMG will be devoted to realizing a TV series that is up to an incredible book and trust that Umberto Eco has put in us.”

Palomar’s president, Carlo Degli Esposti, said: “In The Name of the Rose Umberto Eco has created a story in which he transposed 40 years of studies on the Middle Ages. I am excited to work on the first and most powerful novel by Umberto Eco that simultaneously casts new light on the medieval era and announces its dissolution. The fire of the Abbey and the writing of Dante’s comedy in a vulgar language that William of Baskerville does not understand (but of which he is aware of the greatness) symbolizes the dissolution of the Middle Ages and the announcement of a new era in which cities, and no longer the Abbeys, will be the engine of history and a new culture.”

Nicola Serra, CEO of Palomar, added: “We are very proud and thrilled to be part of this project, which perfectly fits within our growing international strategy.”

Tinni Andreatta, the head of drama at RAI Fiction, commented: “Rai Fiction raises the bar once again through its commitment to a major television series, The Name of the Rose, in eight episodes, based on Umberto Eco’s global best seller. The series combines a dream team of the best Italian creativity with the excellence of international talent, using European history to tell a story with universal appeal. We are delighted to partner with TMG, 11 Marzo and Palomar on this exceptional show.”