Amazon MGM orders pilot based on Charlie Bone fantasy novels

Amazon MGM Studios has ordered a pilot based on the Charlie Bone children's/YA fantasy novels. The film adaptation follows Charlie Bone, a boy who has always been labeled as a 'problem'. He has been expelled from every school in London. But he can't help it - his brain just doesn't work like others. Since the mysterious death of his father, he has been haunted by 'The Noise'. His last chance comes when he is sent to Bloor's Academy, a school for challenging teenagers.

Here the pioneering director, Dr. Bloor (Fiennes), thinks differently - he is convinced that what others see as flaws are in fact undiagnosed gifts, a kind of superpower even. Bone must negotiate friendships, infatuation, hormones, family drama and, most dangerously, a dangerous conspiracy at the heart of the established order.



Filming will take place on location in the UK for the pilot, starring (clockwise in photo) Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale), Carmen Ejogo (Your Honor (US)), Emma Sidi (Starstruck), Brazilian singer and actress Giulia Be (Beyond The Universe), Olivia-Mai Barrett (Invasion) and newcomer Cory McClane in the role of Charlie Bone.

Other roles include Orlando Norman (Wreck), Beth Alsbury (Blindspot (2023)), Lewis Brophy (The Virtues) and Fisayo Akinade (Heartstopper).

The as-yet-untitled ensemble pilot comes from British-American production and management company 42. Executive producers are Rory Aitken and Eleanor Moran for 42. Writer-executive producer is Max Gill. Director and executive producer is Toby MacDonald (Extraordinary), while co-executive producer is Miriam Brent. Roopesh Parekh (Willow) produces.

42 is known for series such as The Girl Before, The English Game and the Watership Down (2018) reboot and the films Military Wives and The Courier.

There are eight fantasy novels in the popular Charlie Bone series written by British author Jenny Nimmo and published between 2002-2010. The franchise also includes a prequel trilogy and two sequel books.