USA Network has handed out a straight-to-series order to a tv adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s classic novel, ‘Brave New World‘, it has been announced.
‘Brave New World’ is set in a seemingly utopian futuristic society. Whilst there is peace and stability, the people are drugged to stay “happy” and have a number of their freedoms removed, such as the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself. Children are created and conditioned to play a specific role in society, which is split into castes. For example, if you’re born as a factory worker, you’re conditioned to like living in cities and have no interest in books.
As citizens of New London, Bernard Marx and Lenina Crowne have only ever known a rigid social order, a perfect pharmaceutical called Soma, and a culture of instant gratification and ubiquitous sex. Curious to explore life beyond the strictures of their society, the two New Worlders embark on a vacation to the Savage Lands, where they become embroiled in a harrowing and violent rebellion. Bernard and Lenina are rescued by John the Savage, who escapes with them back to New London. John’s arrival in the New World soon threatens to disrupt its utopian harmony, leaving Bernard and Lenina to grapple with the repercussions. The three become entwined in a fraught relationship that awakens them to the dangers of their own conditioning.
Talk of a ‘Brave New World’ series has been floating around since 2016, where it was set at USA Network/NBCUniversal sister-station Syfy. The adaptation comes from David Wiener (‘Homecoming’, ‘The Killing’, ‘Flesh and Bone’), with comic book legend Grant Morrison and Brian Taylor, the duo behind the gloriously insane ‘Happy!’. Wiener and Morrison will exec produce, alongside Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (‘The Americans’), co-presidents of Amblin Television. Wiener will also serve as series showrunner, and Owen Harris (‘Black Mirror: San Junipero’) will direct the first episode.
‘Brave New World’ joins USA Network’s other recent commissions including ‘Briarpatch’ from ‘Mr. Robot’s Sam Esmail starring Rosario Dawson, and Jason Bourne spin-off ‘Treadstone’, starring Brian J. Smith & Jeremy Irvine from ‘Heroes’ creator Tim Kring.
It’s still way too early for a UK pick up on ‘Brave New World‘, but we’ll let you know when we hear more.