BBC Studios Options Rights To ‘Eve Stranger’ Comic Book Series
BBC Studios has optioned the rights to the comic book ‘Eve Stranger’ created by writer David Barnett (‘Punks Not Dead’) and illustrated by Philip Bond (‘Deadline’) it has been announced.
‘Eve Stranger’ is the story of the enigmatic Eve, who has unlimited funds, a jet-set lifestyle, and extraordinary abilities… as well as a growing suspicion that she’s working for the bad guys. Meet Eve Stranger, amnesiac for hire.
The title was released as a miniseries in 2019, it was one of the core titles of comic-book editor Shelly Bond’s Black Crown imprint. Chris Ryall, former IDW Chief Creative Officer and current co-founder of Syzygy Publishing, will serve as an Executive Producer on the BBC Studios series.
“What David and Philip created under Shelly Bond’s auspices is a character for the ages,” said Chris Ryall. “Eve is a black-ops action hero capable of amazing feats but incapable of remembering last week. Every job, Eve wakes up with a new assignment and a bloodstream filled with nanobombs that can only be suppressed by the contents of a mind-erasing syringe… and after her misadventures with giant gorillas, extreme assassins, and other unsavoury types, she has found the perfect partner in BBC Studios, and so have we. I can’t wait to see Eve’s adventures come to life and engage viewers like they did readers.”
Veronica Gleeson (‘Sixteen’, ‘Lion’, ‘Berlin Syndrome’) will adapt the book for tv, whilst Matthew Bouch (‘Being Human’, ‘Da Vinci’s Demons’, ‘The Witcher’), will produce for BBC Studios Drama Productions.
“Eve Stranger is a mind-bending journey, a wild mix of complex characters and comic book verve, taking us on an action-adventure ride that dazzles even as it deepens in psychological richness,” said Bouch. “It is a key title in BBC Studios’ push to create unique, bold stories for the international market.”
Gleeson adds “Eve Stranger is hot, messy and heartfelt. I was immediately drawn to the anarchic energy and imaginative reach. What begins as a psychedelic genre lark finds compelling shape through characters with complex connections and compromised morality. It also features a large monkey. I am thrilled to be involved.”
Whilst the series is being produced by BBC Studios, no broadcaster is currently attached. BBC Studios do, however, co-own BBC America with AMC, so there is a fair chance it may end up broadcasting there in the USA. As for the UK, it’s worth mentioning (as this often comes up when we mention BBC Studios and BBC America), BBC America and BBC Studios are totally commercial entities, separate from the main UK BBC. BBC Studios do not receive any of the license fee, and in fact, subsidises the license fee by generating income for the BBC by making programmes both for the BBC and for other broadcasters. Because of that, it does not mean it would automatically go to the BBC in the UK.
“I could not think of better hands in which to put an adaptation of Eve Stranger than BBC Studios’ Drama Production department,” said writer David Barnett. “They totally get what Philip and I were doing with the Eve Stranger comics and I simply cannot wait to see how the high-octane thrills, quirky humour and sheer non-stop adventure is translated to television.”
Philip Bond, series artist/co-creator adds, “Eve Stranger was the most fun I’d had creating comics in years. David and I threw everything into the pages: the giant gorilla, the Goa party, the Orient Express, the gadgets, the clothes. If the cast and crew on an adaptation have as much fun making Eve as we did, and dress Eve in the right boots, it’ll be a joy to watch.”
‘Eve Stranger’ is currently classed as “in development”, but we’ll let you know if and when we hear more.
