Starz picks up Stephenie Meyer adaptation 'The Rook'

Starz has picked up Stephenie Meyer’s supernatural spy thriller The Rook, it emerged during the pay platform’s Television Critcs Association (TCA) presentation on Friday.

The series will air in the US early next year. Starz owner Lionsgate is producing The Rook with television and broadband company Liberty Global, which will feature the series exclusively on demand across its network in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Lionsgate will distribute the series worldwide

Meyer will serve as executive producer and Stephen Garrett serves as executive producer and showrunner on the story of a young woman pursued by paranormal adversaries who grapples with extraordinary abilities of her own.

The Twilight Saga creator Meyer, whose YA books were turned into a global smash by Lionsgate’s Summit label, will work with her producing partner Meghan Hibbett under their Fickle Fish production company. Garrett will produce via his Character 7, which recently produced The Night Manager. Playwrights and screenwriters Sam Holcroft and Al Muriel will adapt Meyer’s book for the series.

Chris Albrecht, Starz president and CEO, said: “The Rook is a great addition to a STARZ slate loaded with the most exciting new and returning series offered by any platform anywhere. We are thrilled to add the talents of Stephen Garrett and Stephenie Meyer to our creative family and forge our partnership with the Lionsgate Television Group and Liberty Global.

“The Rook is instantly addictive from the very first scene and introduces what we believe will be one of the most fascinating and thrilling female protagonists on television.”