Though he’s quickly becoming one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and is increasingly busy thanks to his commitments to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seems that Benedict Cumberbatch is still finding time for the small screen. Indiewire is reporting today that the actor has signed on to star in Melrose, a five-episode series set to air on Showtime.
Based on Edward St. Aubyn’s novels, production will get underway this summer and will see the Doctor Strange star play Patrick Melrose, “an aristocratic and outrageously funny playboy who struggles to overcome the damage inflicted by a horribly abusive father and the mother who tacitly condoned the behavior.” The literary series totals 5 books and apparently, the plan is for each one to be adapted into an hour-long episode.
“I’ve been a huge admirer of Edward St Aubyn’s novels for years, and can’t wait to bring these dark, witty, brilliant books to the screen,” said David Nicholls, who’s writing the series. “Benedict is the perfect Patrick Melrose.”
In a press release put out earlier today by Showtime and Sky Atlantic (who are co-producing), the new project was described as such:
The limited series will be a true television saga, both gripping and humorous from Nicholls’ adaptation, with a dramatic sweep that encompasses the South of France in the 1960s, New York in the 1980s and Britain in the early 2000’s.
Though I haven’t read St. Aubyn’s novels myself, they do sound rather interesting and seem like they’d make for some compelling television, especially with an actor as talented as Benedict Cumberbatch leading the way. There’s no word yet on who may co-star, but with things coming together rather quickly ahead of the summer shoot, we should get updates on that before too long.
Until then, tell us, are you familiar with Melrose? If so, are you happy to hear it’s coming to the small screen? Let us know in the usual spot.