Netflix has announced a new series based on Roald Dahl's short stories for adults, with a star-studded cast including Imelda Staunton and Nicola Coughlan. The news was revealed at the Edinburgh TV Festival, confirming that the series will be adapted by Danny Brocklehurst. Filming has already commenced in Manchester and throughout the North of England.
Star-Studded Cast Announced
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast ranging from The Crown's Imelda Staunton to Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan, from MobLand's Toby Jones to The Wire's Dominic West. Further notable names include Naomi Scott, Josh Finan, Carmen Ejogo, Christine Tremarco, Michael Socha and Clarke Peters.
Brocklehurst expressed his enthusiasm, saying: "The short stories of Roald Dahl were what first made me want to become a writer. His enthralling, macabre and always unexpected tales gave life to vibrant, larger than life characters like The Landlady, Mister Boggis and the mysterious Fingersmith. To be given the chance to bring these characters to life in a contemporary setting is a dream come true. I couldn't be more thrilled to be partnering with Orchid Pictures, Netflix and this outstanding cast."
Plot and Source Material
Netflix previewed the forthcoming series: "Danny Brocklehurst weaves a deliciously twisted tale through Roald Dahl's iconic short stories. A young couple, marooned in a faded seaside town, navigate conmen, adulterers, murderous mothers and snake charmers as they attempt to escape before their own fate is sealed."
Roald Dahl was perhaps most celebrated for his children's literature, yet he was equally a gifted poet whose darkly twisted short stories became renowned for their shocking conclusions. The Mystery Writers of America honoured Dahl with three Edgar Awards for his contributions, and many of his short stories were originally penned for American publications such as Collier's, Playboy and The New Yorker.
Legacy of Dahl's Short Stories
Altogether, he produced more than 60 short stories, which have featured across numerous collections, with some only appearing in print following his death. One of his more celebrated adult tales, The Smoker, has been adapted on several occasions, including for Quentin Tarantino's segment of the film Four Rooms.
Blogger From Kafka to Kindergarten describe it as "classic Roald Dahl", praising it as "politically incorrect, bizarre and dark with an unexpected ending". They noted: "Dahl doesn't bother with setting or backstory or in-depth characterisations. You know as much as you need to know and no more. In a strange way, this is much more menacing. The character of Carlos, for instance, you can't figure him out. He sometimes seems eccentric, sometimes sinister and sometimes just plain pathetic. This story, with its intriguing premise and clean structure, lends itself very easily to adaptations and spin-offs."
The Roald Dahl series will air on Netflix.
