Universal Television has acquired the rights to develop "Royal Spin", the upcoming novel by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway, as a television series. Scobie, known for his bestselling books on the Royal Family, including "Finding Freedom" and "Endgame", makes his fiction debut with the project, which follows an American press agent who lands a job at Buckingham Palace.
The story centres on Lauren O'Connell, a young American politico who leaves Washington DC to join the palace communications team. Tasked with helping the monarchy navigate a wave of scandals and improve its public image, she finds herself at odds with an institution steeped in tradition, protocol and culture clashes. The series has been described as a fish-out-of-water workplace drama with elements of wit and romance.
According to reports, the project attracted significant interest, with nine studios pursuing the rights and offers reaching seven figures. Emily Fox, whose credits include "The Watchful Eye" and "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist", will write the pilot script and serve as showrunner, with Fox, Scobie and Benway all executive producing.
Vivian Cannon, Universal Television's Executive Vice President of Drama Development, said: "Offering a fresh take that beautifully blends wit and romance, Royal Spin is a deeply entertaining exploration of the world's enduring fascination with the royal family." The authors added in a joint statement: "No show or book has ever gone inside the frenzied world of the Buckingham Palace press office, and we can't wait to throw Lauren into the deep end of it."
"Royal Spin" was first unveiled at the London Book Fair in March and quickly made its way to the US television market. The premise has drawn parallels to Meghan Markle's experience as an American woman entering the royal world. Scobie is a journalist, broadcaster and author who has covered the British Royal Family since 2011, while Benway is a bestselling author of young adult novels, including "Far From the Tree".
