Netflix is on an acquiring spree. it has just picked up Benedict Cumberbatch’s latest buzzy limited series, ‘The 39 Steps’, with director Edward Berger on board.
Reportedly, this modern-day adaptation of John Buchan’s 1915 novel will consist of at least six hour-long episodes, with Cumberbatch also donning the hat of executive producer for this Netflix venture. We can expect ‘The 39 Steps’ to be made on a grand scale this time.
Coincidentally, the duo Cumberbatch – Berger previously collaborated on limited series ‘Patrick Melrose’, which was nominated for Outstanding Limited Series at the Primetime Emmys, 2018. Fans of the dishy actor are excited on hearing the news of the duo coming together once again for ‘The 39 Steps’.
‘The 39 Steps’ was originally a British spy thriller film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. It revolved around a civilian in London, Richard Hannay, who gets embroiled in a sinister conspiracy. He races against time to preventing an organization of spies called “The 39 Steps” from stealing British military secrets.
This time, for the Netflix version, Benedict Cumberbatch will portray Hannay, who after being framed for a murder, is forced to go on the run as he attempts to clear his name and unravel the wide-ranging conspiracy at the center of the story.
Since 1935 and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, ‘The 39 Steps’ has been adapted three other times: twice as features released on the big screen in 1959 and 1978, and as a 90-minute television film that aired on the BBC in 2008. In Netflix’s ‘The 39 Steps’, Mark L. Smith, who brought ‘The Revenant’ to life, will handle writing duties of the screenplay of the story. The series promises to be a fascinating thriller for Netflix and Cumberbatch.
Netflix is yet to announce the release date of ‘The 39 Steps’. Benedict Cumberbatch already has a lot on his plate right now, including MCU’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Colin Trevorrow’s War Magician. However, fans of the ‘Sherlock’ star around the world will be waiting keenly for this classic thriller to go on floors as soon as possible.
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
