We’ve received the news that the wonderful BBC Films and Shine Pictures today have picked up the rights to best-selling author Tom Rob Smith’s new psychological thriller ‘The Farm’. The novel is a heart-pounding mystery set in London and Sweden, that’s debuted to rave reviews, reaching Number 2 in the UK bestseller charts during its opening month and is also a bestseller in its launches in Australia, Germany and Israel, with a further 13 major territories sold. Shine’s Head of Film, Ollie Madden, had this to say:
“I’ve been a huge fan of Tom’s novels since ‘Child 44’, and when I picked up ‘The Farm’ I read it in one, enrapt sitting. It’s very rare that you read something which is simultaneously thrilling, thought-provoking, totally unpredictable and packs a real emotional punch. We look forward to adapting Tom’s brilliant work into a feature film”.
Christine Langan, Head of BBC Films, added:
’The Farm’ skewers you on the horns of a fabulous dilemma while effortlessly drawing you into a curious and strangely sinister world. Tom Rob Smith’s latest novel is a sophisticated, layered narrative with real page turning urgency and BBC Films is thrilled to be partnering with Shine in its journey to the big screen.”
And now for some official insight about the book:
IF YOU REFUSE TO BELIEVE ME, I WILL NO LONGER CONSIDER YOU MY SON…..
Until the moment he receives a frantic call from his father, Daniel believes his parents are living a peaceful life on a farm in rural Sweden. He is shocked to discover that his mother has escaped from a mental hospital shortly after being committed. Just as this news begins to sink in, he receives a phone call from his mother – she is already en-route to London and she pleads with him to allow her the chance to tell her story. He must decide whether she is a victim of a terrible conspiracy, or, as his father fears, is suffering a psychotic episode. Daniel soon becomes entwined in an urgent tale of secrets, lies, and a horrible crime that implicates his own father.
Tom Rob Smith’s ‘Child 44’ trilogy has sold over 4 million copies worldwide, the first of which has been made as a film directed by Daniel Espinosa and starring Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace, and is due for release this year. He also created the five-part BBC backed mini-series, ‘London Spy’, which is set to air on the Beeb in 2015.
Brought into Shine Pictures by Head of Literary Acquisitions, Sue Swift, ‘The Farm’ will be produced by Ollie Madden for Shine Pictures, with Christine Langan executive producing for BBC Films. You can pick up a copy here: The Farm
