Joanna Quinn's novel The Whalebone Theater in development as a television series

Hera Pictures, the production company behind Sky/Starz's upcoming series Mary & George, is developing a television version of Joanna Quinn's hit novel The Whalebone Theatre. The 2022 bestseller is a coming-of-age story set in the shadow of the approaching Second World War. It tells the story of an 'unmarriageable girl', Cristobel, who chooses to defy convention and find her own way through life. As Cristabel grows into a stubborn young woman, World War II approaches and she and her brother become British secret agents on separate missions in Nazi-occupied France.



Quinn's novel (pictured) hit the bestseller lists in the UK and US and has sold in a further fourteen territories worldwide since its release. There is no network attached to the television series yet.

The Whalebone Theater is the latest project for Hera, former Channel 4 drama boss Liza Marshall's drama-indie production company, which is in great health. Upcoming projects include Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet for the big screen, Jodie Comer's survival film The End We Start From, which premieres in the UK on Friday, period drama series Mary & George - one of Sky's flagship shows year - and BBC Three's Paris Lee's adaptation What It Feel's Like For a Girl. Previous work that has been shown includes the titles Honor by ITV and Temple by Sky.

“We fell in love with Jo’s gorgeous book from the moment it began,” said Marshall. “A family epic, a coming-of-age chronicle, a spy thriller and a tangled romance, The Whalebone Theatre is written with such warmth, poignancy and humour, it’s no surprise that it is a global bestseller.”

Quinn added that “countless people who have read the book have told me they would love to see it as a TV series, and I am delighted that Hera Pictures have acquired the rights.”