Production Begins on Geek Girl Adaptation

Corus Entertainment’s Waterside Studios has begun production on Geek Girl, based on the best-selling novels by Holly Smale.

The ten-part series tells the story of awkward, autistic teenager Harriet Manners, whose life is upended when she is discovered as a model. Emily Carey (House of the Dragon, Get Even, Wonder Woman) is starring in the lead role.

The cast also includes Sarah Parish (Industry, Stay Close), Emmanuel Imani (Riches, The Wheel Of Time), Liam Woodrum (Love in Zion National), Zac Looker (A Kind of Spark), Tim Downie (Outlander, Paddington), Jemima Rooper (Flowers in the Attic: The Origin), Daisy Jelley (London Kills) and Rochelle Harrington.

The screen adaptation was written by lead writer Jess Ruston, Sameera Steward, Holly Smale and Sarah Morgan. The series is being directed by Declan O’Dwyer (Miss Scarlet & The Duke, Flowers In The Attic: The Origin, Merlin).

Waterside Studios is co-producing the series with RubyRock Pictures and Aircraft Pictures. Nelvana will handle global distribution.

Geek Girl is slated to premiere next year on YTV and STACKTV in Canada and on Netflix worldwide.

“As Corus continues to build a content powerhouse, Geek Girl brings together Corus’ incredible collection of content and media assets,” said Colin Bohm, executive VP of content and corporate strategy at Corus Entertainment. “From our YTV and STACKTV platforms to our investment in Aircraft Pictures and launch of Waterside Studios, and Nelvana distributing the series globally, we have leveraged our full operation to bring Geek Girl to audiences worldwide.”

“For the last decade, it’s been my dream to see Geek Girl brought to life on screen,” Smale said. “I’m so excited to work with Waterside Studios; the talent, vision and enthusiasm the entire team is bringing to my story is incredible, and I can’t wait for the whole world to meet Harriet Manners on Netflix and YTV.”

“Holly Smale has written heartwarming and laugh-out-loud coming-of-age stories that resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider,” commented Jeff Norton, head of Waterside Studios and executive producer. “It’s been a true honor to develop these books for the screen, and we couldn’t be happier to partner with both Corus’ own YTV and Netflix to bring Holly’s story to the screen together with top production companies RubyRock Pictures and Aircraft Pictures.”

“The books are an incredible read—there’s so much heart in the story and characters,” added Zoë Rocha, founder of RubyRock Pictures. “Seeing the TV series come to life first in the writers’ room and now on set, I know that the show is going to be very special with all that emotional resonance depicted on screen. For anyone who knows the twists and turns of growing up, this is going to speak to you.”