Studiocanal and Benedict Cumberbatch are preparing the TV series How To Stop Time

Studiocanal and SunnyMarch will soon begin production on the Beneditch Cumberbatch starrer how to stop time adapted from a feature film to a television series.

Studiocanal took Matt Haig’s novel six years ago and first developed it as a feature film with Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch, in which it has a partial interest. After a significant hiatus, Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh announced on Mip TV today that the project will now be a six-episode TV series with continued participation from Cumberbatch and SunnyMarch.

DC Moore (Sky/AMCs Mary and George) and Thomas Alfredson (hobby tailor soldier spy) will write and direct each and filming will begin next year in London and across Europe.

The genre-bending book is a high-stakes superhero thriller about men and women who suffer from a rare disease that causes them to live hundreds and hundreds of years. Born in France in the 15th century, Tom Hazard lost everything he loved over and over again. More than 600 years after his birth, he becomes involved in a secret war.

The show reunites Studiocanal with Cumberbatch, Adam Ackland, Claire Marshall, Leah Clarke, Alfredson and Robyn Slovo, who came together in 2011 for the BAFTA win and Oscar nomination. Craft tailor soldier spy.

“When I first read Stop Timoe, the potential of this story was immediately clear,” said Cumberbatch. , insight, humor, drama and inspiration.”

Marsh described the project as “an extremely exciting and ambitious series.” Studiocanal EVP Global Production Ron Halpern and SVP Global Production Joe Naftalin are EPs along with Moore, Alfredson, Haig and Jamie Byng. Slovo is a series producer for SunnyMarch alongside Cumberbatch, Ackland, Marshall and Clarke.

Studiocanal confirms strong investments

Meanwhile, Marsh used her Mip TV keynote to confirm Deadline’s story from a few weeks ago that the outfit is investing oh EP James Strong’s Strong Film and TV.

Strong’s previous work includes the BBC submarine thriller oh, Broad church and ITVs Liar and his new Bristol/London indie has a number of television and film projects in development including The end [working title], by the young writer George Kellock.

Strong teamed up with EPs Loretta Preece and Matt Tombs and Marsh praised the trio’s “long-standing relationships with UK commissioners and understanding of our European DNA”.

Strong added: “Loretta, Matt and I want to create contemporary, emotional and daring pieces that will resonate with audiences both internationally and in the UK.”